In the weeks leading up to, and then during the fifth and final season of Hacks, Megan Stalter has run her own kind of Kaufman-esque publicity tour for both the Emmy-winning show and her personal brand.

Gossip accounts like DeuxMoi and Stalter’s own social media channels have been flooded with clips of the actress prancing around Los Angeles looking very much like she wants attention while screaming at onlookers that they’re invading her privacy. In one video, she’s reading aloud from Britney Spears’ memoir, 2023’s The Woman in Me. In another, she seems to be parodying Addison Rae’s 2024 sideboob paparazzi shot.

It’s a masterful marketing stunt that keeps her front-and-center of the zeitgeist but also lets her fanbase in on the joke.

“My favorite kinds of comedy,” Stalter tells me, “is not knowing where the bit ends. I like to explore that and, like, to create experiences and feeling.” She adds: “If I'm on stage, I want, at times, people to be like, ‘Wait. Is she serious?”

In the early seasons of Hacks, Stalter’s Kayla could have easily been an obvious, one-note joke about Hollywood nepotism. As the daughter of the head of the talent management firm where she can barely roll a call, Kayla actually wielded more power than the manager she was assigned to cover, Jimmy (played by series co-creator Paul W. Downs). Almost instantly, Stalter proved she could steal a scene simply by entering a room, and Kayla quickly became the id that lives in everyone who’s had to suck it up when they want to speak out.

The show was the first time that the actress, who’d previously found internet fame for her viral videos, had been on a real set. No one truly knew what she could do—least of all her. And, like Kayla—who’s since graduated from someone Jimmy treated like a whiny kid sister to his professional equal in their own practice—she needn’t have ever worried about being underestimated. If the final season of Hacks is about owning your legacy and going out on your own terms, no one has done it better than Kayla or the woman who plays her.

But when she’s not in character—either on Hacks or as one of her clickbaiting personalities—Stalter herself is a lot more, well, chill. When we meet in late March at the London West Hollywood, her makeup, save for a strip of aqua eyeshadow that she says is an ode to Kayla, is natural. The actress, who’d just recently accepted the Queerties Awards’ 2026 Vanguard Award in red hot pants, an American flag halter top, and a back tattoo reading “The Prettiest Girl in America,” is wearing a much more subdued Hilary MacMillan denim outfit mixed with a Courrèges polo. Her voice is also more leveled and a little husky; less rage-squeaky than what you see on any screen.

With the real Stalter, or at least the version of her that she puts on for one-on-one interviews, it’s possible to have a conversation without worrying you’re going to wake the beast. In fact, she’s emotional and measured as she carefully considers answers to each question.

Here, we discuss her knack for making memorable red carpet moments, her mentor/mentee relationship with Downs, life after Kayla, and more.

Marie Claire: Going back to the first season, it took a lot of courage and fearlessness to really own those early scenes, where you had maybe two lines.

Megan Stalter: Paul and [fellow series co-creators Lucia Aniello and Jen Statsky] gave me a shot, and I was going to take any second I was on screen to make the most of everything that I got to say…because it's, like, my shot. I didn't finish college, and I didn't take formal acting classes. Every red carpet appearance or anything that I get to do in front of people, I want to have fun and make the most of it because it's my dream. We worked really hard to get here, and now I want to enjoy it.

MC: Does the concept of a “character actor” mean anything now that it’s so easy to associate an actor with one or two specific characters—or types of characters—and you can make a social media feed that reflects that?

MS: I get what someone means when they say “character actor,” but I just feel like all acting is a character, right? I think it's good to be thinking of it more just as acting than I'm a character actor. It's putting you in a box. I feel like I was so lucky to do Too Much and be like this romantic lead. But, I mean, that was still a character who was a little bit wacky.

MC: Kayla and Jimmy’s relationship seems to be similar to your actual relationship with Paul. You do red carpet stunts together, like when you parodied Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner’s Marty Supreme red carpet looks at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards.

MS: Me and Paul have really good chemistry together. He makes me so much better as a person and performer. And I think, [the writers] ran with that in all the other seasons because it worked in the first season, and [fans] were so sweet about loving Jimmy and Kayla.

I knew how to perform on stage or make videos myself [before Hacks], but I didn't know what it was like to be on set. I didn't know what it was like to be in a scene with someone and being so present that you really feel like it's real in that moment. I learned everything I know about acting and being present and doing emotional scenes from [this show]. It's really easy to cry in a scene with Paul because I feel so connected to him, in the scene and in real life.

MC: Yeah, but it’s one thing to get along with your coworker. And it’s another to agree to wear orange spandex together on a red carpet.

MS: I feel like [Paul’s and my] relationship, in the show and in real life, I've just seen us rub off on each other … I'm so proud when we do something crazy on the red carpet because I know that I've encouraged Paul. Watching him be so funny in the orange outfit, like that was really moving to me. The orange outfits were Paul's idea.

Paul has made me a better actor and a performer and taught me to take this really seriously. And I hope that I've encouraged his wild side.

MC: Do you have a dream red carpet outfit?

MS: I would love to come into a red carpet on a horse. I actually am more saying no to my own idea because of scaring an animal. But if it's the right event and the animal’s not scared, I want to.

MC: How long does it take to come up with these red carpet ideas?

MS: It's really just you saying yes to your own idea and then getting other people on board with it. I have such an amazing team—they are so excited when I have a weird idea, and they all make it even better and weirder. Behind every bit is eight people who make it happen and come up with a million things to add to it.

MC: You dressed like a Dunkin’ Donuts cup for the 2025 Video Music Awards and wore a DIY Diet Coke-themed bustier for the Las Culturistas Culture Awards. Are you just really thirsty?

MS: There’s just something about a pop star endorsing a drink or having a signature drink that they’re always talking about. I'd love to have a sponsorship of Sprite, or, like, ginger ale.

The coffee came from them reaching out to do a commercial. We were a part of making the outfit. I was like, it would be cool if we played with making a cup. And then my amazing stylist [Kat Typaldos] was running with it and doing the Dunkin’ bag and all that. But the Diet Coke corset was me being like, it'd be so funny to, first of all, wear something that I made, and then [have it be] something that, like, anyone can make.

MC: This is all so smart because it keeps your name in the press.

MS: Even though I feel like Hacks is a big break, I'm not looking for like [another] big break. I'm looking to just perform for forever. It's just so much fun. I think it's interesting that pop stars reinvent themselves, and actors and comedians, we can do that too. Like, literally take on different personas.

Lady Gaga is a performance artist—that's how I feel. I want to be able to do something crazy on the red carpet and take on a different persona. The acting doesn't have to end when the scene ends. We can reinvent ourselves and make fun of how serious everything is in Hollywood…I'm from Ohio. Like, I didn't know anyone famous. I know it's like a dream, but it’s also hilarious.

MC: You also still do fun bits on social media. Like when you pretend to be Jacob Elordi’s stressed-out publicist.

MS: There's this show—I'm not gonna say the name—but I heard that they were casting, and I wanted to audition for the show. [It] was a publicist character. So I started doing videos as a publicist online to try to get an audition for the show. And I chose Jacob Elordi because he's one of the most talked-about male actors, besides Timothée…I mean, if I were doing all my bits about one male actor, that would become stalkery.

MC: Wait, so did you get to audition for that show?

MS: No. I think they probably thought I wasn't right, which is totally fine. But I wanted to be like, if I can't have an audition, maybe this could be put in their head. It doesn't hurt to put out the video. I don't think I looked crazy. Also, if I looked crazy; I looked crazy. If I was casting for a show and someone did that, even if they weren't right for the part, I would think it was funny.

MC: You’ve also used the red carpet to make serious statements. Your 2025 Emmy red carpet outfit referenced the war in Gaza. You also wrote a powerful Substack after the ICE raids this winter. There, you talked about your childhood growing up in the Pentecostal church and your relationship with God. Why did you decide to post that?

MS: I felt just so overwhelmed and like, “What are we supposed to do?” [after Renée Good and Alex Pretti were killed in Minneapolis when they attempted to stop mass deportation]. And don’t we have to be angrier and fight for each other and protect each other? People are being murdered in the streets, and it’s scary.

My only answer is God and loving each other and coming together, because most people do want to do good. Most people are against murdering innocent people. Yes, there is a group of people that fully are evil and doing evil things. But I think there's a lot of our country that desperately does want to come together. I think acknowledging what's happening and seeking out…vulnerable groups of people, protecting them, and then coming together in love and joy is what will conquer the true evil in our country.

MC: Do you still go to church?

MS: I actually feel even closer to God than ever before. I was very involved in church and felt extremely close to God [and] I did missions trips. And I feel close to God in a different way, probably, now.

I don't have a regular church I go to, but I mix it up, and I go to church sometimes. And I definitely want to find a church I regularly go to so I'm looking for that. My whole message is that God is for everyone. I believe that God is for queer people. And you can't tell someone they can't have something because they're different than you.

MC: You had very researched and informed answers for some of the haters who came for you in the Substack comments, particularly when it came to LGBTQIA+ comments. This has a bigger impact because you are an out queer woman who speaks about her positive relationship with religion.

MS: There are a lot of Christians, and a lot of people with different religions, that maybe judge how certain people live. Or [they] take the Bible and misinterpret or find something and then maybe preach their own beliefs. They can use it as a weapon. It's not what it's for.

It's empowering to hear other people that maybe have gone through something similar, and talking to other queer people that believe or have a relationship with God and also are fully queer. It’s healing, because a lot of people have been told they can't have that because they are a certain way. And I feel a lot of pain hearing people's experiences because the God that I worship wouldn't tell them that they can't have a relationship because they're gay.

MC: It was announced a few years ago that you were attempting to make a TV comedy about your experiences in the church. Is there any movement on that project?

MS: That’s still in the works, but there's nothing to report. My dream is to make that because that's so much of what my heart is—to make a comedy about God, while being able to show love for those people and not be completely, like, alienating the church is something that is really important to me to show in media.

MC: You seem so calm and chill when you talk about this, which is so different from your red carpet appearances or from Kayla.

MS: When I'm doing something like that or performing, I'm in a different place. That’s what I'm meant to do, and when you're doing what you're meant to do, there's some sort of energy that comes from somewhere.

MC: Hacks is ending and Too Much was only for one season. Do you have another project coming up?

MS: I do have a secret project that's going to happen that I'm really excited about, that I can't talk about. But I know you'll be absolutely loving and engaging with it and wanting more and more and more…It’s not a TV thing, but it's gonna be really amazing and big. It sounds like I'm making an escape room.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Photographer Joelle Grace Taylor | Stylist Kat Typaldos | Hair Stylist Clayton Hawkins | Makeup Artist Melissa Hernandez | Creative Direction Alexa Wiley | Art Direction Montse Tanús | Entertainment Director Neha Prakash | Shoot location The London West Hollywood

This article contains references to suicide and self-harm. For support, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or visit the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention.

Much like a car accident on a busy freeway, season 2 of The Pitt was almost impossible to look away from. Across 14 episodes, the HBO Max drama had fans stress eating through confrontations with ICE agents, cyber attacks, psychiatric meltdowns, and head injuries. (So many head injuries.) As torturous as it might’ve been for viewers, the show treated Noah Wyle’s Dr. “Robby” Robinavitch even worse, turning the battered moral compass of season 1 into…well, a bit of a dick. He insulted colleagues, he undermined his replacement on her first day, he let federal agents terrorize his employees without much of a fight. Those slutty little glasses could only do so much for his likability. By the time the day shift workers were limping through those emergency room exit doors, all of us were anxious for the scrubbed-up president of the sad dad club to treat his severe burnout with that ominously threatened sabbatical already.

All of which is to say: We thought we knew where the finale was headed. And if The Pitt were any other show, we would’ve been right. Prestige TV has a very specific grammar for a man in Robby’s condition. The internal rot must always express itself externally. In TV speak, that usually means car crashes, a bender, maybe a disgruntled patient with a gun, or a well-placed bridge—all arriving in a show’s final installment to serve as the climax, the boiling point of all the tension and narrative foreshadowing that had been building all season long. There’d likely be a cliffhanger to keep us on the hook during the year-long hiatus. But something had to happen.

And then, it didn’t. In fact, much of nothing at all happened in the show’s season 2 finale.

Obviously, that’s not true for the patients. A pregnant woman facing an eclampsia crisis courtesy of a “wild birthing” trend; a dead guy in the waiting room; a man wheeled in with half his face shot off—they were all in on the action, but for audiences expecting to see Dr. Robby’s skull meet pavement in those waning minutes, the writers delivered something very different. The ending the show had been telegraphing since the first frame of the season premiere, was Robby on that motorcycle, helmet-less making a decision he couldn't walk back. Instead, we were treated to something more radical: Men talking about their feelings.

Robby’s buddy Duke (Jeff Kober), bless him, went straight for the jugular, wielding his own dicey heart condition as emotional leverage to ensure his friend’s return. Langdon (Patrick Ball), who'd spent the entire shift ricocheting between wounded and furious in Robby's general direction, finally landed somewhere useful: a blunt, slightly self-helpy speech about addiction, delivered by a man who'd only recently gotten honest about his own. And Abbott—Shawn Hatosy doing Emmy-earning work—delivered the most heartfelt plea, using his own mental health struggles as a hand to pull Robby out of the darkness, providing perspective from the vantage point of a man who’s looked down from the ledge many times before. The fact that none of these amateur interventionists were women might seem minor, but it isn’t.

On prestige TV, the emotional rescue of a suffering man is traditionally women's work, because it traditionally is women's work—full stop. Television didn't invent the dynamic so much as faithfully reproduce it. There’s always been “the worried wife;” the perceptive female colleague; the girlfriend who calls attention with little credit. She is, depending on the show's politics, either a saint or a nag, canonized as a long-suffering angel or vilified as an obstacle to the protagonist's self-destruction. Either way, the emotional labor is theirs, unpaid and largely thankless, and the show's sympathy almost never follows them into the next scene.

What The Pitt did was hand that job to the men and the storytelling was better for it.

The finale ends not on a highway somewhere outside Pittsburgh, but on Robby still in the building, rocking an abandoned baby to sleep with something that sounds like hope; a bedtime story imagining a full life for baby Jane Doe, and maybe for himself too.

And I am not, in any way, condoning self-harm nor suggesting that finding the will to live makes things boring (in real life or otherwise). But I am saying that TV has spent decades teaching us to expect spectacle. By not giving us one, The Pitt prioritized character development over audience expectations, and let its broken hero simply clock out and try again another day.

Strip away the head injuries and the hot takes and that’s what The Pitt is really about: the labor of care. Who gives it, who receives it, and who gets voluntold into providing it based purely on their gender and their proximity to a man who's struggling. The ER runs on that labor and the show has always been smart enough to know it. Which makes it meaningful that when Robby finally needed saving, no woman was dispatched to do it. In 2026, when male loneliness is either a crisis or a grift depending on who's talking about it, that's its own kind of argument.

The show played us, and it played us on purpose. Fourteen episodes of setup, of ominous goodbyes and motorcycle safety lectures and watching Wyle hang on by his overworked stethoscope…and the payoff was a bedtime story. The Pitt has some nerve. It also, begrudgingly, has a point.

After four seasons, can the average Industry fan say they understand shorts and investments? Maybe. But can they say without a doubt that they know good TV? Well, yes!

In season 4, which aired in early 2026, the HBO hit introduced more frenemy and professional drama between Yas (Marisa Abela) and Harper (Myha'la)—that not even one night out doing all the things Lorde sings about could make up for!—a leveled-up corporate girl wardrobe, and surprising twists. As the show expanded well beyond the confines of Pierpoint & Co., where it originally introduced its characters as junior employees, it continued to explore power, but especially in terms of what comes when those who have it are ruthless with it, as well as perception versus reality.

The show created by Mickey Down and Konrad Kay wrapped up its latest eight-episode installment on March 1, 2026, with a jaw-dropping finale that's left fans eager for more. Thankfully, HBO's seen the profitability of its financial drama, and we already know its fate going forward. Read on for everything we know about Industry season 5.

Is 'Industry' renewed for season 5?

HBO has seen ROI in Industry—and it's continuing to do so for one more season. The network has officially renewed Industry for season 5, after the hit drama averaged 1.7 million viewers per episode with season 4, up 30 percent from the previous installment. The Hollywood Reporter reported the news in late February 2026, one week before the season 4 finale. The outlet also confirmed that season 5 will be the show's last—the showrunning duo, Mickey Down and Konrad Kay, decided.

The showrunners shared a joint statement on Instagram about the decision. "We’re privileged to have joined the small, esteemed club of dramas that have run for five seasons on HBO. This March marks a decade since we first began to conceive of the world of Industry and it exists because of the unwavering faith and vision of our partners and former partners at HBO," they wrote. "For some time now we have been thinking about how best to end the show on an unparalleled high. Unlike some of our characters, we know when to leave a party."

The duo continued, "We’d like to thank our evangelical fan base, especially those who have watched from day one. Finally: we owe everything to our crew and the best cast on TV for making our writing live. The characters will live on because of their world class performances. Seeing the HBO ident in front of our work will never stop being a thrill. It remains the best place to make television, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration well into the future."

HBO's executive vice president of programming, Francesca Orsi, also shared a statement, per THR. "For four seasons, Industry has thrilled us while examining power, money, politics, and class. Under Mickey and Konrad’s ambitious and singular vision, it has solidified itself as an important contemporary, genre-bending drama in HBO’s lineup that keeps viewers on the edge of their seat week after week...It is gratifying that viewers and critics have recognized season four as bigger and more thrilling than ever, buoyed by career defining performances from our magnificent cast. Alongside the amazing team under executive producer Jane Tranter at Bad Wolf and executive producer Kathleen McCaffrey at Little Gems, we are so proud we can announce the fifth season of this terrific show, which Mickey and Konrad have decided will take us to the end of Industry’s story."

While it'll be a bummer to no longer check in with our favorite morally dubious characters, at least the show will get to see a fitting, planned end.

When will 'Industry' season 5 come out?

Industry season 5 begins filming in August 2026, as reported by Deadline in a July casting announcement (more on that below). It's unclear how long production will last or when new episodes will drop, but we can look at past seasons to get a sense of how long it might take. Season 3, for example, premiered in August 2024, and then season 4 aired in early 2026. Hopefully that means we'll see new episodes by summer 2027.

Who in the 'Industry' cast will return for season 5?

Industry has come a long way since it followed the junior employees on the floor of Pierpoint & Co. Just about every season has been pretty ruthless about introducing fan-favorite characters, putting them through the wringer, and then writing their conclusion. (That's not to mention some of the stars the show has spawned, like David Jonsson and Harry Lawtey, who have exited on their own accord.) But still, the show has always been centered around one of TV's most complicated frenemies: Harper (Myha'la) and Yasmin (Marisa Abela). We can assume that at the very least, they'll lead the cast in season 5.

The rest of the ensemble is a bit up in the air, considering the show could go in any number of directions for its final season. While nothing is confirmed, it seems likely that Harper's teammates, Sweetpea (Miriam Petche) and Kwabena (Toheeb Jimoh), will return. Depending on where the show goes with Yasmin's shocking madame arc, season 4 newcomer Kiernan Shipka, who plays Yas's ally Haley, could be back.

There are several names we can be certain won't return. With Yas being very clear about wanting a divorce from Henry (and, frankly, how much he's endured!), there's likely little more we could see from him and actor Kit Harrington. The Game of Thrones alum told Variety that he's pretty certain that Yas and Henry's relationship is over, and would be happy to come back to the show if asked, but thought it was unlikely.

Relatedly, now that the story revolving around Tender is through, we can assume Max Minghella won't reprise his role as Whitney Halberstram.

Whitney's grand extortion scheme against powerful figures also affected Ken Leung's character Eric, leading to the end of his story on Industry. While he worked to remedy his relationships, including his mentorship with Harper, in season 4, a compromising video featuring him and an underage sex worker prompted him to leave everything behind. The showrunners confirmed it was the end of the road for him in a Variety interview. Down said, "The sendoff that we gave Ken—Eric, should I say—is kind of the most explicit sendoff we’ve ever done with a character. He’s literally walking down the road to nowhere. It was almost us paying respect to the character within what he’d done, which was heinous."

With that in mind, there's certainly room for more characters to come into the fold for the fifth and final installment. As the series nears production, we'll be sure to keep an eye out for casting news.

Are there any new cast members in 'Industry' season 5?

Yet again, we can give it up for the Industry casting department! Cult-loved actress and Girls alum Zosia Mamet will join season 5, as Deadline reported in July 2026. Shoshanna Shapiro herself joining the finance thriller is enough to get excited, but what's more? Her character sounds incredible. The outlet reported that she'll play a woman named Carmen Dame, "a fitness influencer turned wellness tech founder and CEO." We can't wait to see what chaos she'll cook up.

What will 'Industry' season 5 be about?

The Industry team has been explicit about writing the show as it goes on, which has never been more apparent than in the ambitious season 4. Outside the confines of Pierpoint, Harper ran a successful shorts-only investment fund, while Yas became the (unhappy) wife of a British aristocrat, struggling to relaunch his political career. Inevitably, the two crossed paths again when Yas's husband was tapped to run the fintech company Tender, which Harper was investigating, and blew its fraudulent activity wide open.

By the end of the season, Harper is on top, finally reaching the life of luxury she's long been chasing—and Yas is perhaps in the most compromising position than ever. In the midst of a divorce but desperate to hold onto her power, she teams up with former Tender assistant/escort Haley to run "salons" for neo-Nazi types where they're trafficking young women and girls. It's to Harper's complete horror when she attends one of the disturbing events, though Yas doubles down on what she's doing. (While the reveal may have been a surprise to some viewers, the parallels between the character and Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell have long been present.)

We can expect season 5 to continue some of that storyline—but with the writers seemingly unafraid of holding back, we can only imagine they'll introduce an even wilder final face-off/reunion/make-up/break-up for complicated besties Harper and Yas. They alluded to as much while speaking with GQ. Kay said, "I feel like the show can’t get any smaller, because a smaller thing would be a backward thing. So it feels like, if anything, it just needs to grow until it tumbles under its own weight."

He continued, "For season 5, I just think it’s going to be more emotionality, more character, making sure we don’t betray our roots, and I think the valence of the show, where it’s operating in all the different worlds, the politics, the media, the intersectional stuff—I feel like the show can’t get any smaller because a smaller thing would be a backward thing. So it feels like, if anything, it just needs to grow until it tumbles under its own weight."

While there's a lot to speculate at this time, fans can rest easy that the showrunners do at least have a conclusion in mind. Down told Collider, "We know what the ending is, though. You’ve got to. You can’t write four seasons and not think about the ending."

This story contains spoilers about Industry season 4, episode 6, "Dear Henry." Midway through season 4 of Industry, Kiernan Shipka sent the internet ablaze when her character, Haley, pulls a psycho-sexual Uno reverse on Marisa Abela’s Yasmin in the confines of an elevator. With one impeccable, snarky “Thank you, Mommy,” she launched countless GIFs and inspired even more viewers to tune into the HBO hit. But beyond that, the star also made it even clearer that there’s a lot more to the executive assistant than meets the eye.

In episode 6, “Dear Henry,” when shit hits the fan at Tender, Haley finally casts aside all professional pleasantries, unveiling who she really is. As it turns out, Tender head Whitney (Max Minghella) hired Haley from an escort service; her job description includes managing his schedule, sending emails, and committing extortion by getting herself and other escorts alone with powerful men.

As Shipka sees it, the role and its layers couldn’t have yielded a higher return on investment. “It’s fun to have a secret and slowly uncover it,” she tells Marie Claire over Zoom in January. “[At] the premiere, they only showed the first episode, and I remember being at the after-party and someone coming up to me being like, ‘I'm so scared for her. I'm so worried for her,’ which was funny to hear. I was like, ‘I think she'll be fine.’”

In the February 15th episode, not only does Haley confront Whitney, she also opens up to Yasmin in hopes of forming an alliance, so she, too, can remain within arm's reach of wealth and access and not go down with her boss and Tender. When Yasmin asks if the tryst between her, Haley, and her husband—Tender’s newly-appointed CEO, Henry (Kit Harrington)—was recorded as a part of Whitney’s schemes, Haley doesn’t give a straight answer. She may be at the bottom of the corporate ladder, but she’s savvy enough to wield what little power she has while trying to climb it.

The fact that Haley kept Industry fans guessing throughout season 4 is all to Shipka’s credit. The 26-year-old Mad Men alum masters the dichotomy of Haley’s good-girl-in-a-cardigan act as much as her true, devious party-girl form.

“We're such different people, and we move about the world in such a different way, but I feel like the thing that I could really deeply relate to was this idea of playing other people,” she says.

With Haley liberated from Whitney’s management following Sunday night’s episode, Shipka tells Marie Claire about what she makes of her character’s big reveal, what it’s like partying with the cast and crew of Industry, and what she really thinks of the show’s comparisons to Mad Men.

Marie Claire: There’s a lot of mystery surrounding Haley, and then the truth comes out in episode six. When you signed on, how much did you know about the character?

Kiernan Shipka: I knew what she did for [Whitney]. That was a pretty early conversation, just because I wanted to know everything that I could about her, especially playing someone who's so mysterious and revealed over time. I wanted to make sure that it all made sense.

I feel like, for the majority of the season, Haley is holding her cards close to her chest. She's breadcrumbing little bits here and there about who she really is, but she's playing a character [herself]. So to get to finally lay it all out and be a more authentic version of who she really is was so fun and so freeing because she played such a good game throughout the show. It was fun to let it rip and let more of the truth out. There was something very cathartic about that.

MC: What did you make of Haley in the moment when she confronts Whitney?

KS: I think that, for a long time, Haley felt she had to justify these things that she was doing and was feeling trapped in the Tender/Whitney situation until Yasmin proved to be a life raft out. I think there was a lot that she felt like she had to endure and do in service of getting what she wanted or getting something that Whitney promised her that never actually came to be. It was a big release for her because I think, before that, she felt like she couldn't leave, and she was scared to leave. Now, I think we see a version of her that's ready to go and is able to, for the first time, feel and say all these things she's actually been bottling up for a really long time.

MC: And then when Yas asks her if the encounter with Henry was filmed, you do this amazing little lip quiver. I need to know whether that was scripted or how you arrived there.

KS: When in doubt, Haley still wants to have options. I think she’s always—even in her most vulnerable moments—looking at the situation from a strategic point of view and always wants to have a few cards only for her. That was one of those moments that we wanted to play intentionally unsettling and vague because, at the end of the day, the potential existence of that tape has a lot of potential to come back around or be a lot of things. The power of her saying so much with saying so little was the goal there.

MC: There’s so much to unpack in Haley and Yas’s conversation, but it’s interesting how she says she wants to get closer to her because she’s learned that “access is what makes you rich.” Do you feel like there's truth in that? Or, how might you have related to that line of thinking?

KS: I definitely understand that line of thinking. I think that what Haley has been chasing—maybe she's thought for a while—is money, but what it really is is belonging. I think that her driving force is feeling untouchable and like she belongs. She doesn't want just a nice apartment to go home to, but not be invited to the party. She wants to be in the center of it all, and I definitely think that line was very astute. I think she sees the fleeting nature of money and then spending that money, versus the longstanding nature of having access or status, even though that can shift and rise and fall as well. She is realizing the staying power is not all just based in getting a check.

MC: In that moment, Haley also insists that she and Yas understand each other. Why do you think that is?

KS: I think it's their relationships with men. In the earlier episodes, there was this sort of unspoken spiritual bond because they've both endured some gnarly stuff and are still standing and protecting themselves in all the specific ways that they do. I think they're both incredibly charismatic and use that as a weapon.

What I think is very interesting about their relationship is that it's not really built on trust, but it is built on understanding. They both realize they would benefit from each other's existences in their lives, even if they're on shaky ground. They both would rather have each other and have more access and more of a chance to do whatever it is that they're about to do. They're both incredibly complicated people, and they're both incredibly flawed people, and they see a lot of the same want to belong in each other.

MC: Yas and Haley are the latest example in a trend of recent movies and shows about imperfect mentorship or an imbalanced power dynamic between a woman in a position of power and another woman who’s her junior. What interests you about these dynamics?

KS: There's something endlessly fascinating about who has the ball in a power dynamic. Especially in a power dynamic between two women, but really in any power dynamic, this idea that one person has the power at all times is this binary way of looking at it. This idea of there being nuance within that and complexities within that, especially in the current day and age, is so ripe for discussion and discourse.

It’s because there’s not a finish line—that's the endlessly fascinating thing about these shows and films, or with Haley and Yas. It's not done. It's not a fixed thing. There are ways for it to shift or seesaw, and I think there's something incredibly modern about that and incredibly exciting to watch. And all of that aside, it also just keeps you on the edge of your seat.

MC: You’ve been in the entertainment industry for a while. Did you relate to Haley’s ability to alter people’s perceptions of her, or maybe overcome being underestimated?

KS: I definitely think Haley knows how people see her or how she appears, and then plays with that and surprises people. I definitely relate to that. There's almost a meta quality to me playing this character, because there is a surprising nature to me in this part, inherently because of my history, having been a child in the public eye. As different as we are, I think that there were parts of her that I could really find myself in, too.

MC: How did you get into Haley’s headspace? Did you make a party-girl playlist or anything like that?

KS: All sorts of stuff. I journaled her. I really did her whole backstory. That's what I do for every character that I play. I want to know how they grew up, where they grew up, why they want what they want, how they were raised with their family—so that by the time that I'm in their shoes, I'm not confused. I don't want there to be questions.

I'm a big music listener, and I feel like I was listening to whatever I already was, plus extra fun stuff. The club scene that we did, [showrunner] Mickey [Down] actually had a DJ friend named DJ Tennis, and he literally DJ-ed. So, there was actual music going on during that, and a lot of the music was also written into the script itself. That was fun. There's a lot of footage out there of me trying to crawl into the DJ booth and getting rejected that didn't end up making the cut. It’s like me begging DJ Tennis let me into his booth and him just being like, Ugh, this girl.

MC: What is it like being a part of a show where the characters do not hold back and often show the worst parts of themselves?

KS: It's fun. It's great. We meet Haley at her most raw and unapologetic and reckless, for better or for worse. And that version of Haley circles back when she has the confrontation with Whitney. I see her in all these different parts, and it was fun to return to something that felt a little bit more recklessly abandoned, if you will.

I don't ever really approach anything from a place of judgment. I don't think you really can when you're performing. When you're playing someone else, you have to throw that out the window, and once it comes out, you can say, “Oh, I wouldn't do that.” But while doing it—to be able to escape into someone else and throw away judgment and really play with this new person—it's so exciting.

MC: Haley is at the scene of the crime in many of this season’s wilder moments. Which was your favorite to film?

KS: I really enjoyed screaming out Charlie [Heaton] at the beginning of the season. I didn't realize how funny that scene is until watching it back with an audience. There are certain scenes where, after I do them, I can drop my shoulders, and I know the character, where they're going, or like an important piece was done. After we did that scene, I felt like, Okay, we're in the car. It's moving. Let's do this. I felt really energized.

MC: There are a lot of comparisons between Industry and Mad Men. As a former Mad Men star, what do you think of them?

KS: They're really accurate. I binged [Industry] before I went to Wales to start filming the season, and I had not heard those comparisons before, but immediately I went, Oh my gosh, there's some stuff about it that's very Mad Men. I mentioned it to [showrunner] Konrad [Kay]—just casually wanted to drop it. He goes, “Oh, yeah. I've seen Mad Men four times through.” I think there's something in their subconscious that creates with Mad Men in mind, in the best way.

They're so wildly different in tone and in theme, and the characters are so different that the comparison feels really genuine and nice. Not like it's a replica by any means, but there are some dynamics in that show and some moments that really feel like subtle homages.

MC: You said a little over a year ago that you were trying to have more fun and untether yourself from control and perfectionism. Was challenging yourself with a role like Haley part of that journey?

KS: Oh, for sure. This whole experience was the epitome of fun and untethering. [Laughs] I didn't even think about that, but I really did say that, and I think I kept my promise to myself because this was exactly that. There's always a relinquishing of control when you're in a new place, on a new set. And there are so many different ways that things could go, and you can only do so much to service the character and the story, and then the rest is out of your control. And then also, this cast and crew are incredibly fun and like to have fun. I definitely said yes to all the fun nights, too, so there was that.

MC: Considering you had so much fun working with the cast and crew, do you have any favorite memories from going out with everybody?

KS: After that very intense Yas/Haley scene in episode six, where I reveal all, I got my things and drove straight to Glastonbury to meet Mickey and Konrad. Marisa [Abela] had two more scenes to do, but made it by the evening, and we had such a fun time. I'd never seen Charli xcx live. That was my number one. I felt like I really was in the center of the entire music festival, even though I wasn't, but I was in the crowd. Glastonbury was a magical, life-changing experience, and I'm glad I didn't have to work on Monday. Some of them did, though.

This interview was edited and condensed for clarity.

Not-so-fun fact for the movie buffs out there: Documentary films are fully eligible for the Best Picture trophy at the Academy Awards, but have yet to secure a single nomination in the category in the Oscars’s 98-year history. Sure, they’re eligible for two other doc-specific categories, but their absence from the night’s biggest slot might be the Academy’s most egregious and enduring snub. After all, nonfiction films have taken home the top awards at other prestigious events throughout the decades, including at the Cannes, Venice, and Berlin film festivals.

There’s also the fact, of course, that documentaries can be just as gripping and powerful as narrative features and require just as much artistry—if not more so—to tell a real-life story.

Luckily for us true-story truthers, just like last year, 2026 promises to bring a packed slate of deeply moving, thought-provoking, and entertaining documentary films and docuseries, many of which we’ve lined up below as our most anticipated of the year, from eye-opening looks at Elizabeth Smart's kidnapping and the war in Gaza to a Billie Eilish concert film directed by James Cameron (yes, really). We'll be updating this list throughout the year with even more films sure to educate, entertain, and, just maybe, snag an Oscar nomination.

The Best Documentaries of 2026 (So Far)

'Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart'

Release date: January 21

In the more than two decades after Elizabeth Smart’s infamous abduction at the age of 14, when she was held for nine months by a couple in Utah and California, her story has been told in a variety of true-crime TV specials, documentaries, and dramatizations. The latest doc about her, from Netflix, retells the horrific story and features new interviews with Smart, her family, and investigators, allowing Smart not only to reclaim agency over her own story but also to share an optimistic look at her healing journey and full life since then.

WATCH IT

'Natchez'

Release date: January 30

The economy of the small town of Natchez, Mississippi, is largely centered around a tourism industry focused on revisiting the Antebellum South. This film, which won the Best Documentary Feature award at last year’s Tribeca Festival, dives into the implications of that practice, following locals as they grapple with what it means to keep such a horrific period of the past alive in the present.

WATCH IT

'The Investigation of Lucy Letby'

Release date: February 4

The story of Lucy Letby rocked the U.K. and the entire world in the late 2010s as the neonatal nurse was found guilty on several counts of murder and attempted murder of infants she was supposed to be caring for. This Netflix true-crime doc recounts the story, offering never-before-seen footage of Letby’s investigation, arrest, and questioning.

WATCH IT

'Queen of Chess'

Release date: February 6

Call it The Queen’s Gambit IRL. This Netflix film tells the incredible story of Judit Polgár, who emerged in the late ‘80s as a 12-year-old Hungarian chess prodigy. The doc explores how she spent the 13 years of her career working toward a goal of beating the highest-ranked man in chess—all while shattering long-held beliefs about what girls and women could accomplish in the sport.

WATCH IT

'Beam Me Up, Sulu'

Release date: February 17

In the 1960s, Star Trek broke new ground with its dedication to diversity and inclusion on TV screens across the country. 20 years later, a Trekkie made a long-shot ask to George Takei, who played Hikaru Sulu in the show, to star in his Star Trek-themed student film. Takei agreed, and after being lost for 40 years, the footage has finally been recovered and appears in this new doc, which charts the still-reverberating impact of Star Trek’s positive representation of a truly diverse team working together in harmony.

WATCH IT

'The Pink Pill: Sex, Drugs & Who Has Control'

Release date: March 6

This inspiring doc unpacks the years-long battle it took to get the first prescription drug for female hypoactive sexual desire disorder approved by the FDA. The charge was led by Cindy Eckert, who refused to back down until Addyi—often referred to as “female Viagra”—was finally made available in 2015.

WATCH IT

'Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere'

Release date: March 11

Prolific BBC filmmaker Louis Theroux made his Netflix debut this year with this investigation into the (very) dark underbelly of the so-called “manosphere,” the realm of extreme hypermasculinity, misogyny, and racism that, very disturbingly, is increasingly gaining cultural traction.

WATCH IT

'Keep Quiet and Forgive'

Release date: March 23

Years after being assaulted within her Amish community, a woman named Lizzie stepped up to lead a movement of other Amish and Mennonite survivors who demanded justice in place of their communities’s traditional secrecy and silence around sexual abuse. Their powerful fight is documented in this film, which arrived on PBS this spring after making the festival rounds last year.

WATCH IT

'The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist'

Release date: March 27

Daniel Roher, who directed the Oscar-winning 2022 documentary Navalny, returns to co-direct this film, following his journey to understand the impacts of the artificial intelligence boom on his future children’s lives. Though much chatter about AI tends toward the extremes of either apocalyptic or revolutionary, The AI Doc lands somewhere more in the middle, while still promising audiences a “wake-up call” about the technology.

WATCH IT

'Marc by Sofia'

Release date: March 27 in theaters

Sofia Coppola’s first-ever documentary feature is focused on her longtime friend and collaborator, Marc Jacobs. It primarily tracks the making of the fashion designer’s Spring 2024 collection, while also offering flashbacks into the early days of his career and the two icons’s extremely chic friendship.

WATCH IT

'A Gorilla Story: Told By David Attenborough'

Release date: April 17

In 1978, the naturalist David Attenborough traveled to Rwanda for his Life on Earth series, which highlighted his playful interactions with a young gorilla named Pablo and raised awareness of the mountain gorilla’s dwindling population and need for protection. Half a century later, this documentary film, narrated by Attenborough, returns to Rwanda to catch up with Pablo’s descendants and chart the incredible results of those conservation efforts.

WATCH IT

The Best Documentaries Coming Soon in 2026

'Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D)'

Release date: May 8 in theaters

Billie Eilish has already starred in a (fascinating) documentary about her creative process and life on the road, 2021’s The World’s a Little Blurry. She’s back on the big screen this spring for a more traditional 3D concert film, but in a less-traditional twist, she’s joined as co-director by none other than James Cameron. I’ll say it: Billie could do Titanic, but Leonardo DiCaprio could never do “Birds of a Feather.”

WATCH THE TRAILER

'American Doctor'

Release date: TBA

This powerful film centers on three doctors of different backgrounds who travel from the U.S. to Gaza to lend their much-needed medical expertise amid the ongoing war. In addition to offering lifesaving care, the Palestinian, Jewish, and Zoroastrian trio also shed light in interviews on wartime horrors that have been concealed from outside journalists and speak out publicly about the terrible situation they’ve witnessed up close.

'Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial VS That' the Weight of the World)'

Release date: TBA on HBO Max

After helming much-lauded films about the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival and Sly and the Family Stone, award-winning musician and writer Questlove is turning his lens on legendary band Earth, Wind & Fire. The doc is set to open this summer's Tribeca Festival, followed by a wider release via HBO Max, which revealed last fall that it had secured the film for a 2026 debut on its platform, saying it would feature “exclusive access to the band’s archives of visual, audio, and written material” to chronicle its cultural impact and legacy.

'The History of Concrete'

Release date: TBA

Fans of John Wilson’s HBO docuseries, How to With John Wilson, know that his creative projects often take bizarre, unexpected, and hilarious turns, and this full-length feature is no exception. It follows the filmmaker’s journey making a wide-ranging documentary about concrete, using the techniques he learned at a workshop about making Hallmark movies.

'Oz'

Release date: TBA

Another 2026 doc with no firm release date—but with plenty of excitement surrounding it—is an upcoming film that delves into the surprisingly messy backstory of the making of The Wizard of Oz in 1939, with Leonardo DiCaprio signed on to produce. According to Variety, the film will include “never-before-seen or heard footage and audio to explore how the beloved classic was forged in crisis during the height of the Hollywood studio era, and why it became and remains one of the most influential films ever made.”

Marie Claire editors are Heated Rivalry's target audience: hockey romance readers, avid HBO bingers, and always on the lookout for fashion guys. So, when Connor Storrie, François Arnaud, and Robbie Graham-Kuntz all attended Saint Laurent's Fall 2026 Menswear show, it became our Super Bowl.

After covering Haute Couture Week's buzziest front rows, we shifted our focus to another part of Paris, where Saint Laurent hosted our favorite (fictional) hockey players. Connor Storrie picked up where Hudson Williams left off at last week's Armani show, wearing an oversize, '70s-inspired suit set with Saint Laurent Spring 2026 tags.

Stylist James Yardley stacked a mustard yellow button-down beneath a shoulder-padded khaki blazer, which complemented his high-rise trousers. (It's giving Patrick Swayze-level suave, right?) To match the effortless, cool-guy charm of his rolled-up sleeves, Storrie accessorized with aviator sunglasses and a metallic bronze tie. Half of it remained inside the button-down; a signature motif in creative director's Anthony Vaccarello's Spring 2026 show. (Tucked-in ties returned this time around, too.)

François Arnaud traded Scott Hunter's New York Admirals jersey for head-to-toe Saint Laurent Fall 2025 selects, beginning with a pinstripe button-down. Then, stylist Luca Kingston followed the model's lead by stacking a striped black-and-gray tie on top.

His black trousers took a trendy turn alongside a leather trench coat. Arnaud is the latest male celebrity to channel Rihanna's affinity for straight-out-of-the-Matrix outerwear, behind Bad Bunny and A$AP Rocky. However, the Heated Rivalry effect proves he won't be the last.

Hudson Williams was noticeably absent from Saint Laurent's guest list, but Robbie Graham-Kuntz, a.k.a. Kip, held down the hunky, fashion guy fort. GK's Fall 2025 look debuted steps after Arnaud's on the catwalk, though he took creative liberties with his menswear.

Instead of over-the-knee boots—the collection's divisive hero piece—he paired his leather pants, white button-down, and black suit tie with loafers. Perhaps he's saving the $4,500 boots worn by Jonathan Bailey, Pedro Pascal, and Alexander Skarsgård for the after party. (They'd sure mark quite the shift from hockey skates.)

Heated Rivalry Season 1 didn't just gift audiences a whole hockey team of celebrity crushes. The fashion industry has an entirely new class of muses to dress, invite to shows, and cast in campaigns. So far, Giorgio Armani, Dsquared2, Donatella Versace, and Saint Laurent have boarded the Heated Rivalry bandwagon. But with Fashion Month on the horizon, the front-row invitations will just keep coming.

If you're a diehard TV fan, chances are you're a bit behind in your watchlist. So many must-watch shows came out last year, from the returns of juggernauts like The White Lotus and Stranger Things to surprise word-of-mouth hits like The Pitt and Heated Rivalry. Now that 2026 is fully underway, it's time to take note of which upcoming shows will command the cultural conversation this year—and which are already out and worth bingeing.

That's where I come in, a full-time culture writer whose literal job is to keep up with the overwhelming amount of media coming our way. Throughout the year, I'll be keeping track of the best and buzziest TV shows coming to Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, Apple TV, and more. Read on for my picks for the best TV shows of 2026 so far.

The Best TV Shows of Winter 2026

'The Pitt' season 2

Release Date: January 8, airing weekly on HBO Max

Starring: Noah Wyle, Katherine LaNasa, Patrick Ball, Supriya Ganesh, Fiona Dourif, Taylor Dearden, Isa Briones, Gerran Howell, Shabana Azeez, Sepideh Moafi, Lucas Iverson, Irene Choi, and Meta Golding

Paging Dr. Robby! The Emmy-winning medical series is back for its second year, picking up 10 months later on a Fourth of July day shift. Some of the season-long arcs include Langdon's (Ball) first day back at work after rehab, the introduction of new med students Ogilvy (Iverson) and Joy (Choi), and Robby's (Wyle) power struggle with Dr. Al-Hashimi (Moafi), his replacement for an upcoming sabbatical.

WATCH IT

'Industry' season 4

Release Date: January 11, airing weekly on HBO

Starring: Myha'la, Marisa Abela, Ken Leung, Sagar Radia, Miriam Petche, Kit Harrington, Kiernan Shipka, Toheeb Jimoh, Max Minghella, Kal Penn, and Charlie Heaton

After bringing its Pierpoint era to an end in the season 3 finale, HBO's most undersung series reinvents itself in its fourth season. Harper (Myha'la) now leads her own team funded by a powerful backer, while Yasmin (Abela) navigates her new role as Henry's (Harrington) dutiful wife. Add a buzzy fintech start-up that enters everybody's orbit, and we're promised a propulsive new season.

WATCH IT

'Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette'

Release Date: February 12, airing weekly on FX/Hulu

Starring: Sarah Pidgeon, Paul Kelly, Naomi Watts, Grace Gummer, Sydney Lemmon, and Alessandro Nivola

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Ryan Murphy debuted his latest anthology based on a true story, after American Crime Story and American Sports Story. The first iteration of Love Story follows the whirlwind romance between Carolyn Bessette (Pidgeon), then a Calvin Klein employee, and scion John F. Kennedy, Jr. (Kelly). Their relationship was the subject of constant tabloid fodder before ending in tragedy, and the series imagines what went on in their private relationship. Come for the incredible performances, stay for the '90s fashion inspiration.

WATCH IT

'Boyfriend on Demand'

Release Date: March 6 on Netflix

Starring: Jisoo, Seo In-guk, Ha Young, Gong Min-jeung, Jo Han-chul, Lee Hak-joo, Kim Sung-cheol, Lee Soo-hyuk, Seo Kang-jun, and Yoo In-na

If you like your love stories more comedic than dramatic, this K-drama rom-com follows office worker Seo Mi-rae (Jisoo) as she tests a dating VR game with love interests based on all the best romance tropes. This series excels in balancing its escapist premise with a thoughtful, realistic look at love in the modern age.

WATCH IT

The Best TV Shows Coming in Spring 2026

'The Comeback'

Release Date: March 22, airing weekly on HBO

Starring: Lisa Kudrow, Dan Bucatinsky, Laura Silverman, Damian Young, Tim Bagley, Jack O'Brien, Andrew Scott, Matt Cook, Ella Stiller, John Early, Barry Shabaka Henley, Abbi Jacobson, Tony Macht, Brittany O'Grady, Zane Phillips, and Julian Stern

Lisa Kudrow's cult-classic Hollywood satire returns for a third and final season, 21 years after its 2005 debut and almost 12 years since its 2014 sophomore season. We can't wait to see how sitcom star (and now executive producer!) Valerie Cherish (Kudrow) handles what Hollywood has become, from TikTok and Hot Ones to AI and streaming.

WATCH THE TRAILER

'The Testaments'

Release Date: April 8, airing weekly on Hulu

Starring: Ann Dowd, Chase Infiniti, Lucy Halliday, Rowan Blanchard, and Mattea Conforti

Brace yourselves for a return to Gilead. Hulu's follow-up to The Handmaid's Tale will adapt Margaret Atwood's 2019 sequel novel, with Ann Dowd returning as Aunt Lydia. The series will follow a new group of young women—including June's (Elisabeth Moss) now-16-year-old daughter, Hannah, known as Agnes (Infiniti), as she struggles to come of age in the dystopia.

WATCH THE TRAILER

'Euphoria' season 3

Release Date: April 12, airing weekly on HBO

Starring: Zendaya, Jacob Elordi, Hunter Schafer, Sydney Sweeney, Alexa Demie, Maude Apatow, Eric Dane, and Colman Domingo

It's been a long wait for Euphoria fans—so long that its characters have aged out of high school and college—but season 3 of the pop-culture phenomenon is just months away. The new episodes will pick up five years after graduation, with dozens of new stars (including Rosalía!) filling out the East Highland crew's new lives in L.A., N.Y.C., Mexico, and...the suburbs?

WATCH THE TRAILER

'Margo's Got Money Troubles'

Release Date: April 15, airing weekly on Apple TV

Starring: Elle Fanning, Nicole Kidman, Michelle Pfeiffer, Michael Angarano, and Nick Offerman

All you need to hear to be excited for this show: David E. Kelley adapts Rufi Thorpe's buzzy 2024 novel, Michelle Pfeiffer and (newly minted Oscar nominee) Elle Fanning leading the cast. It follows Margo (Fanning), a 20-year-old single mom, as she searches for a way out of poverty after getting pregnant by her English professor.

WATCH THE TRAILER

'Beef' season 2

Release Date: April 16 on Netflix

Starring: Charles Melton, Cailee Spaney, Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, Song Kang-ho, and Youn Yuh-jung

Netflix and A24's acerbic drama finally returns, three years after its Emmy-winning debut. The anthology's second season is a tale of two couples employed at an exclusive L.A. country club. When the younger pair (played by Melton and Spaeny) witness a fight between the elder (Isaac and Mulligan), they "use the recording to get ahead in their own careers," per Vanity Fair.

WATCH THE TEASER

'Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed'

Release Date: May 20, airing weekly on Apple TV

Starring: Tatiana Maslany, Jake Johnson, Brandon Flynn, Murray Bartlett, Jessy Hodges, Jon Michael Hill, Charlie Hall, Kiarra Hamagami Goldberg, Nola Wallace, and Dolly De Leon

Once again, Apple TV comes through with a star-studded cast and a can't-miss premise: "Convinced she witnessed a crime—while simultaneously struggling through a custody battle and an identity crisis—Paula (Maslany) begins her own investigation, one that could unravel a greater conspiracy while also holding the keys to rebuilding her family and sense of self."

The Best TV Shows Coming Summer 2026

'Lucky'

Release Date: July 15, airing weekly on Apple TV

Starring: Anya Taylor-Joy, Annette Bening, Timothy Olyphant, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Drew Starkey, Clifton Collins Jr., and William Fichtner

In her first television role since The Queen's Gambit and Peaky Blinders, Anya Taylor-Joy returns to the small screen in this adaptation of Marissa Stapley's novel. The thriller miniseries follows the titular con artist (Taylor-Joy) as she flees from both sides of the law after a multi-million-dollar heist gone wrong.

WATCH THE TEASER

'The Vampire Lestat'

Release Date: TBA on AMC

Starring: Sam Reid, Jacob Anderson, Eric Bogosian, Assad Zaman, Delainey Hayles, Jennifer Ehle, and Sheila Atim

The third season of AMC's Interview with the Vampire will adapt the second novel in Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles series, with Lestat (Reid) taking center stage as he ascends to rock royalty. Come for the original songs and Lestat-Louis (Anderson) toxicity, stay for the TV debut of legendary characters like Akasha (Atim).

WATCH THE FIRST LOOK

The Best TV Shows Coming Soon

'Hacks' season 5

Release Date: TBA on HBO Max

Starring: Jean Smart, Hannah Einbinder, Paul W. Downs, Meg Stalter, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, and Christopher Briney

Though it's currently unclear whether season 5 will be Hacks's last, we're guaranteed at least one more season of Ava (Einbinder) and Deborah (Smart) hijinks. After that false death announcement in the season 4 finale, Deborah will return to the U.S. (more specifically, N.Y.C.!) for what's sure to be a hilarious comeback.

'Half Man'

Release Date: TBA on HBO Max

Starring: Richard Gadd, Jamie Bell, Mitchell Robertson, and Stuart Campbell

In his highly anticipated Baby Reindeer follow-up, the renowned series creator Richard Gadd once again examines masculinity, this time via a decades-spanning family drama. According to the logline, "When Niall's (Bell) estranged 'brother' Ruben (Gadd) shows up at his wedding, it leads to an explosion of violence that catapults us back through their lives."

'House of the Dragon' season 3

Release Date: TBA on HBO

Starring: Emma D'Arcy, Olivia Cooke, Matt Smith, Rhys Ifans, Steve Toussaint, Fabien Frankel, Harry Collett, Tom Glynn-Carney, Ewan Mitchell, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, and Phia Saban

2026 is a big year for Game of Thrones fans: Not only did A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms premiere in January, but House of the Dragon returns for its third season. Though HotD has gone through some drama behind the scenes, here's hoping the battles foreshadowed in season 2 will be as epic as its predecessor's.

Last fall, Miu Miu's Paris Fashion Week show included anything-but-average aprons in almost every runway look. By January 8, Industry star Myha'la gave Miu Miu's It-piece a proper close-up at the hit HBO Max show's Season 4 premiere.

Just two days after the newlywed made her secret 2025 wedding public, she returned to the red carpet with her husband, Armando Rivera. She delivered a solo step-and-repeat, too, starring stylist Law Roach's latest select: Miu Miu's black leather apron dress, featuring a haltered bodice and an entirely open back. A matching triangle bralette peeked out from beneath the leather.

Like any chef's lovingly worn-in apron, the bottom-half shielded her undergarments from any spills. (A win for inside the screening, no doubt.) The only differences? Myha'la's version didn't tie in the back before stretching below her stilettos. Its 360-degree skirt grazed the black carpet, contrary to the knee-length look seen on the runway.

Button closures traded places with a typical apron tie. Even so, the leather maxi wasn't completely lace-less. Knots secured both the apron and bralette around Myha'la's neck, as well as the mid-back bust. That way, the silhouette still stayed true to its hardworking roots—while still delivering plenty of edge.

Miu Miu's one-piece appeared just as striking on the Spring 2026 catwalk. The midi stopped in line with the model's knees, revealing black Oxford-style shoes.

Not a single accessory made the cut last September, but Myha'la couldn't leave her engagement ring at home. It sparkled just as much as her diamond stud earrings.

Once the curtain closed on the screening, Myha'la traded her apron for a leather-centric after-party look. She posed with Heated Rivalry heartthrob Hudson Williams, the internet's current BookTok boyfriend, in a white tank top, a suit tie, and low-rise leather pants.

The cherry on top of Myha'la's post-screening cake was Miu Miu's Mini Aventure Bag in black. You may recognize its yellow gold hardware from the closets of Gigi Hadid, Hailey Bieber, Chase Infiniti, and more Miu Miu girls. It's a small-but-mighty $3,300 signature for Hollywood's elite, both up-and-coming and seasoned.

Myha'la is the first fashion girl brave enough to test the Miu Miu-ified, stay-at-home-parent apron in public. (Though the Bodies Bodies Bodies star went the leather, blacksmith-inspired route.) Her sartorial prowess ensured she won't be the last.

Shop Apron Dresses Inspired by Myha'la

After the events of season 1 of HBO Max’s The Pitt, no one would blame Dr. Michael "Robby" Robinavitch (Noah Wyle) for needing a little time away from the ER. And when the show returns for its second season on January 10, 2026—jumping 10 months forward to July 4th—he’s preparing to do just that with a planned three-month motorcycle sabbatical. Season 2 of the Emmy-winning medical drama, in which each episode operates as a real-time hour of the emergency room staff’s shift, follows Dr. Robby on his last shift as he prepares to hand off his duties to a new attending physician.

That’s where Sepideh Moafi’s newcomer Dr. Baran Al-Hashimi comes in. A confident physician who previously worked at the VA Hospital with Dr. Mel King (Taylor Dearden) and Dr. Samira Mohan (Supriya Ganesh), Dr. Al-Hashimi arrives earlier than expected to shadow Dr. Robby, armed with a long list of ideas she’d like to implement at the hospital. Moafi herself has described this quality in her character as “Promethian flair for innovation,” and it’s quickly clear that her approach is more clinical and tech-forward than Dr. Robby’s. So, inevitably, their opposing outlooks on the state of medicine make them (politely) butt heads immediately.

But don’t worry, their friction won’t turn into a steamy romance. “I can assure there will be no broom closets involved," Moafi told USA Today. “The way I pictured it when I read the scripts was that we're two animals in the wild sort of circling and sniffing each other out.”

Dr. Robby is insistent in the season 2 trailer that Dr. Al-Hashimi is “just covering while I go on my little sabbatical,” but with Moafi announced as a series regular, she’ll be sticking around long enough for us to get to know her. Read on to find out more about the actress who is set to face off with The Pitt’s beloved Dr. Robby.

Sepideh Moafi was born in a refugee camp in Germany.

Moafi, 40, is of Iranian descent, and her parents fled their native country during the Islamic Revolution in the 1970s and sought political asylum in Turkey and Germany before her birth. The family was granted visas to the United States, where she was predominantly raised, eventually gaining citizenship.

Her family’s experience as refugees has shaped her identity: In 2019, Moafi penned a first-person essay in PEOPLE highlighting her experience and her focus on helping other immigrants in similar situations. “Being a refugee has shaped my life and I feel fiercely moved to not only help destigmatize but also humanize our struggling brothers and sisters around the globe,” she wrote.

Moafi has historically been involved with the International Rescue Committee (IRC), hosting fundraisers on its behalf. Her Instagram bio lists her as an ambassador to the organization. In 2021, she also hosted a salon titled “Belonging: From Refugee to Hollywood with Sepideh Moafi” for the nonprofit Girls Write Now. According to USA Today, Moafi’s humanitarian work influenced Dr. Al-Hashimi’s back story as a member of Doctors Without Borders.

Moafi is a trained singer.

Because of Moafi’s unique family history, she wasn’t “exposed to acting or singing until [she] was a teenager,” according to a 2018 interview. She began singing at the age of 15 and developed a passion for opera after singing Vivaldi’s “Gloria,” and, within a year, she received a full scholarship to San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

While her opera background was tapped into on the 2014 series Black Box, she probably won’t be showing off her pipes in her latest role. “I might be concerned if they start writing an opera moment in The Pitt,” she told USA Today. But the skill is an intrinsic part of her identity: During a The Pitt season 2 press junket with co-star and Dr. Jack Abbot actor Shawn Hatosy, Moafi joked that she’d prefer being caught singing half-naked than catching a friend in a lie because, “[she’s] a singer and [she] loves being naked.”

'The Pitt' isn’t the first time she's played a doctor on TV.

Moafi’s first TV role was on the series Blue Bloods in 2013, but soon she donned a pair of scrubs to play Dr. Farrah Mahmoud on the ABC drama Black Box. She later played a doctor again in one episode of Limitless before stepping into two of her best-known roles: Loretta on HBO’s The Deuce and Gigi on Showtime’s The L Word sequel series, The L Word: Generation Q.

Even though she’s familiar with a doctor’s office set, the level of realism on The Pitt is something she had to get used to. “It's really hard with blood, I'm not a fan,” she told USA Today ahead of the season 2 premiere. “It's the level of detail. I was grappling with being Sepideh Moafi watching this outrageous prosthetic where somebody's entire torso is split in half while still playing a doctor who's seen much worse.”

In all my 30+ years, I have never watched a hockey game. I have, however, watched Heated Rivalry on HBO Max. The sexy hockey romance adapts the second book in Rachel Reid's Game Changer series (also titled Heated Rivalry). And while it hasn't taught me much about the sport, it has introduced me and countless others to the hockey romance genre. Let's just put it this way: We're hooked and demanding a season 2 ASAP.

Season 1 of Heated Rivalry introduced fans to Shane Hollander, played by Hudson Williams, and Ilya Rozanov, played by Connor Storrie—two hockey players whose rivalry on the ice quickly turns into scorching hot sexual tension. The show begins in 2008, with season 1 following the beginning of their relationship. Neither Ilya nor Shane is publicly out with their sexuality, and while they have a habit of hooking up whenever they cross paths, they're also in no rush to make things official.

The six-episode season follows the first nine years of Shane and Ilya's romance, but fans of the original Heated Rivalry romance novel know this is a love story that spans decades. So it's only right that fans get more seasons. Below, we're breaking down everything we know about Heated Rivalry season 2.

Is 'Heated Rivalry' renewed for season 2?

Yes! The TV Gods have smiled upon us and granted us a season 2 of Heated Rivalry before season 1 was even over. The news was announced on the Heated Rivalry Instagram account along with a video of stars Storrie and Williams reading from The Long Game, the sixth book in the Game Changers series and the continuation of Shane and Ilya's love story.

In a separate video for HBO, Williams teased that season 2 would be “hotter, wetter, longer.”

When will 'Heated Rivalry' season 2 come out?

We've received news so hot it could melt ice! In late February, series creator Jacob Tierney and Brendan Brady appeared on CBS Mornings and revealed the loose premiere date of April 2027, per Variety. They confirmed that production is set to begin this August, so the new episodes should arrive in the spring of next year.

Tierney said, "There will be more Heated Rivalry on your TVs truly as soon as humanly possible," and jokingly added that fans should "enjoy the yearn" in the meantime.

Production on season 2 is moving at a more reasonable pace compared to season 1, which had a very quick turnaround. For example, according to Storrie's Instagram, season 1 wrapped filming in June 2025, only six months before premiering in late November. However, season 1 was only six episodes long, and the renewal wasn't guaranteed, so the team needs time to write the forthcoming installments this time around.

After season 1 aired, Tierney told viewers to brace themselves for a bit of a wait. "It can’t be same time next year, because this time last year I’d written five of these, and this time this year I’ve written zero of them," he told Variety in a late December 2025 interview. "So it’s going to be a little bit later, but it’s still going to be soon."

Tierney added, "We understand that everybody’s goal is to not do two years between seasons. And at the same time, I don’t want to put out a rushed, shitty second season just because the show is very popular. But we’re very aware that our creative partners are enthusiastic and don’t want to wait too long. We’re getting back to work!"

Hudson Williams offered fans more context on why season 2 will need to take longer. During an appearance on "Andy Cohen Live," the actor explained that season 1's quick turnaround was tough on the showrunner.

"[Season 1] adapted two books. What Jacob Tierney does for season 2, I don't know. But this killed him. I think what people don't know is, he was giving final cuts of the episodes two days before they screened," Williams explained, adding that Tierney "sounded like a ghoul" when the actor called him after the finale dropped.

Still, about a year and a half between seasons 1 and 2 is pretty reasonable in the streaming age, when some shows have been delayed for years. So, we'll take April 2027! Plus, it sounds like 2027 is gearing up to be a major Heated Rivalry year, with the next book in the series and third Hollanov romance, Unrivaled, due out in June 2027. In the meantime, fans looking for their hockey romance fix can always rewatch season 1 and read the Game Changer series.

What cast members are returning for 'Heated Rivalry' season 2?

The exact cast list has yet to be confirmed. Still, given the season 2 renewal announcements, it's safe to say that both leads, Williams and Storrie, will reprise their roles as Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov.

Given the show's success and the fan obsession with François Arnaud, it seems likely that he'll return as Scott Hunter. That hopefully means we'll also see more appearances from Robbie G.K. as Kip Grady as well. Shane's parents, Yuna and David, played by Christina Chang and Dylan Walsh, play a vital role in The Long Game, so they're likely to return as well, though nothing has been confirmed.

What will 'Heated Rivalry' season 2 be about?

The video announcing season 2 makes it clear that the next batch of new episodes will adapt The Long Game by Rachel Reid. The 2022 romance book is technically the sequel to Ilya and Shane's Heated Rivalry story (though it's also Book 6 in the entire series). We can look to what unfolds in the book to predict what we might see on screen.

The Long Game picks up three years after the end of the Heated Rivalry novel, 10 years into their relationship. Ilya and Shane are still keeping their romance a secret, while the pressure of being professional athletes continues to weigh heavily. Ilya might be ready to take their relationship public, but Shane is still playing things close to the vest. Are they ready to risk it all to be together?

Tierney has spoken about how exciting it is to bring The Long Game to the screen—and how much of a change fans should expect from season 1, especially considering how "emotionally sophisticated" the source material is. "It’s different. It really is different," the series creator said while speaking at a BookCon event in April 2026, per Variety. "The challenge of it is, from an adaptation point of view, is that you’re in much more serious territory. A lot of the initial—there’s still lots of flirting and lots of sex—but this kind of danger, this kind of hotel-room-adolescent-sex stuff is largely gone. And so it presents really new challenges."

Tierney added that Ilya and Shane will always be "the heartbeat" of the TV show, but that season 2 will, in fact, adapt parts of the other books in the Game Changers series. He explained that Role Model, the fifth installment, will feed into the plot.

If you have yet to read Role Model, the book follows hockey star Troy, who has been traded to the Ottawa Centaurs, as he deals with a breakup and scandal. While he's unenthused about playing on the struggling team, his attitude starts to change when he meets their social media manager, Harris.

As book fans are well aware, there's a direct tie-in to the Ilya and Shane story. In Role Model, Ilya and Shane have followed through on their plan to move to Ottawa, and Troy's captain is none other than the Russian star athlete himself.

Season 2 won't be the first time the show adapts other books in the series. Episode 3, “Hunter,” was based on the first book in the queer series, also called Game Changers. The episode introduced the story of New York Admirals captain Scott Hunter, played by François Arnaud, and his secret boyfriend, Kip (Robbie G.K.), but only told part of their story. There's certainly more that we could see there, but the word is still out on whether that will make it into season 2.

However, we do know for sure is that Heated Rivalry won't lose any steam going into season 2. Tierney told Etalk that he wants the show to always evoke “horny joy,” and it's safe to say that he'll be taking that mission into the new season.

How many seasons will 'Heated Rivalry' have?

With the massive success of Heated Rivalry, it makes sense to wonder whether the series could continue after the upcoming second season. And that's not just the fandom psychosis talking; we have receipts from the show's stars themselves.

In their cover story for GQ Hype, Williams and Storrie (a.k.a. HudCon) revealed that they both signed on for three seasons of the show. Although this is a common practice in TV, fans responded to the news by speculating whether The Long Game could be split into two seasons or if the show would inevitably bring to life Unrivaled and run for four installments. With the ongoing hype, Crave and HBO Max may not be willing to let Heated Rivalry end at just two seasons.

In April 2026, Jacob Tierney hinted that a popular fan theory may be coming true. Speaking to Deadline, the creator coyly teased that season 2 may not be able to cover all of Shane and Ilya's The Long Game story. "Who said I’m doing it all? There’s a lot of material," he said.

Tierney also revealed that he's brought on North of North producer Michael Goldbach to co-write the upcoming episodes. "We’re just continuing to give Shane and Ilya the seriousness that this love affair deserves while also continuing to exist within the confines of the genre that we’re in, which I love," Tierney added. "I want them to be happy, but I also want to show that that’s not easy. Because part of what Rachel does so brilliantly in her writing is to give queerness joy, but also not pretend the world isn’t the world. It’s not like she created this world where it’s like, there’s no homophobia and hockey’s amazing, and anyone can come out. No. She shows it’s difficult, takes courage, guts, and sacrifice, and takes stepping up and saying things with your full chest. And that to me is a triumph. That’s what we’re trying to do here."

Good news for fans of Erewhon smoothies and the Silver Lake Reservoir: HBO’s freshman comedy I Love LA will officially be back for a second season. From the star of Shiva Baby and Bottoms, Rachel Sennott, I Love LA follows a group of Zillennials navigating Hollywood and its adjacent industries. Sennott stars as Maia, a talent manager whose entire world is swept up by the return of her chaotic influencer friend Tallulah (Odessa A’zion).

Season 1 ends in dramatic fashion, and as Maia’s relationship with boyfriend Dylan (Josh Hutcherson) and her career are in limbo, Maia finds herself leaning even more heavily into Tallulah’s orbit. With more episodes already confirmed, here’s everything we know about I Love LA season 2, including when it might arrive and what it could be about.

Is 'I Love LA' renewed for season 2?

HBO announced the show’s renewal on November 20, 2025—well before I Love LA’s season 1 finale aired on December 21, 2025. When the network announced the renewal, it touted the series as being “among the fastest-growing original comedies,” noting that it was “HBO’s second top freshman comedy in platform history, averaging nearly 2 million (L+3) U.S. cross-platform viewers.”

When will 'I Love LA' season 2 come out?

A season 2 release date for I Love LA hasn't been announced yet, but it seems as though the show is gearing up to enter production. According to a Betches interview with Sennott and Jordan Firstman, who plays Charlie, they were in the midst of writing in April 2026. Sennott confirmed they were still writing, as of June 2026, while speaking to the Television Academy. Should the series wrap up writing soon, filming could begin shortly after, and new episodes may arrive in early 2027.

Season 1 production timelines weren’t explicitly available online, but it seems that filming likely began sometime in spring 2025, after Hutcherson’s casting announcement in May 2025. With that in mind, it would make sense for us to see more of Maia, Tallulah, Alani, Charlie, and Dylan this upcoming winter.

Who in the 'I Love LA' cast will return for season 2?

Though there was a shocking death of a minor character midway through season 1, it’s safe to assume that the core members of I Love LA are alive and well and returning for the show’s second outing. That means Maia and her dysfunctional group of friends, played by Rachel Sennott, Odessa A’zion (Tallulah), True Whitaker (Alani), and Jordan Firstman (Charlie), will all likely be back for season 2. Keith David, who appears as Whitaker’s father in the finale, could also pop up for more screen time in the second season.

At the end of season 1, Maia and her boyfriend Dylan, played by Josh Hutcherson, are on a break and seem headed for more relationship problems—something that would require Hutcherson to return for more episodes. Callie Hernandez will also probably return in season 2 as Dylan’s coworker Claire, whom he sleeps with while he’s on a break with Maia. Tallulah’s girlfriend, played by Moses Ingram, could also appear in future episodes.

The same can’t be said of Maia’s passive-aggressive boss, Alyssa (Leighton Meester), who fires Maia in the back half of the first season. Meester may return in a guest capacity in season 2 once Maia goes out on her own, but we wouldn’t expect a large arc from her (or her boyfriend Jeremy, played by Ben Feldman). Colin Woodell, however, may return as Maia’s former boss Ben, who offers her a lucrative job opportunity but seems to expect her to be submissive in return.

We’re hoping that season 2 will expand beyond the core friendship between Maia and Tallulah, with more screen time given to Firstman’s stylist character, Charlie, and his zany clients like Ayo Edebiri’s pop star character Mimi Rush. And with one of the highlights of the season being Elijah Wood’s self-deprecating cameo, there’s a strong likelihood that we’ll see more familiar faces from the entertainment industry making an appearance in season 2 (though it’s unlikely that Wood himself will come back for more).

What will 'I Love LA' season 2 be about?

The first season of I Love LA ends with a slew of realizations for Maia and her immediate found family. Maia quits her job at Alyssa 180 but realizes that a job offer from her old boss, Ben, comes with strings she doesn’t want to be controlled by. Dylan and Maia take a break from their relationship, which pushes him into the arms of the coworker Maia was most worried about. Nevertheless, the friendship between Maia and Tallulah is stronger than ever, even if it encourages Maia’s worst impulses.

We don’t know anything for sure, except that season 2 will continue to mine the core relationships in Maia’s life—romantic, personal, and professional—and force her to confront what she really wants and expects from her life. While Maia and Dylan may reconcile early in season 2, Dylan’s hook-up with Claire will absolutely come to light, and the couple will have to have (another) real talk about their diverging desires and paths. Maia and Tallulah’s friendship will also continue to evolve, and they may hit a few more bumps in the road as they figure out where to draw the lines between business and friendship. And after Maia turned down a $380,000 job offer from her old boss, season 2 will have to contend with how far her hustle and singular client can take her.

Sennott knows that the show could go in several routes, and she shared as much with Deadline in a post-season 1 finale interview. "I think there are so many places we can go from here, and I have a lot of ideas," she told the outlet. "I’m excited to get into the writers' room too and talk them through with everyone and see, because I think we teed ourselves up for a lot of action, but we can go in different directions with it, which I think is really exciting."

The star/showrunner also weighed in on the drama between Maia and Dylan—seemingly teasing that a breakup may be in store. "The relationships I had when I was younger, I always kind of viewed it through this lens of like, 'I'm the victim, and everything anyone else does is wrong,' and I think as I got older, you have relationships where you’re like, 'This isn't a bad person. I still love this person. I still have love for them in my heart, but we are not meant to be together,'" she said. "I think sometimes that’s even more heartbreaking, because you can’t walk away and villainize that person, and I really didn’t want to villainize either of them. I really wanted to hit that balance of like, obviously she should have texted him that she stabbed herself, but also, she's not wrong for wanting more and pushing herself."

Considering the series is all about knowing what you want and going after it, we'd bet that wherever season 2 goes, it'll focus on how these driven Angelinos balance ambition with their personal lives, especially when the two intertwine. Or, as Sennott once said, "What? It's L.A.!"

What else has Rachel Sennott said about 'I Love LA' season 2?

Though Sennott has remained tight-lipped about what's to come in her HBO hit, she's opened up about her vision for the show going forward. While speaking to The Los Angeles Times' "The Envelope" podcast, she admitted to feeling like she discovered the right tone for I Love LA while editing season 1, and it came through toward the back half of the season. That was a large focus on how she saw season 2. "I just feel we’ve locked into our tone, we get to see other sides of characters we haven’t before, we go deeper on certain characters. And I think there’s some fun stuff that we set up in the finale that we get to explore," she said on the pod.

She and executive producer Emma Barrie expounded on those points to The Television Academy. They said they're focused on "pushing" the characters' different nuances and putting them in chaotic situations. They mentioned fans can expect to see more of Alani and especially Maia being challenged. Barrie said by the end of season 1, the team realized, "'Oh, we can push her so far...We want to see this version of her more."

We can't wait to see what they cook up! In the meantime, we'll continue updating this story as more information becomes available.

Heated Rivalry is the internet's new television obsession, thanks in large part to its breakout leads, Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams. The rising actors play Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander, two hockey stars pitted against each other in a legendary sports rivalry. Unbeknownst to the public, the pair are secretly hooking up, in this gay enemies-to-lovers hockey romance based on author Rachel Reid's #BookTok-beloved series.

25-year-old Storrie plays Ilya, a Russian phenom who's known for the powerful skills that back up his constant trash-talking. Viewers who watch the romance series may be surprised to discover that the man behind the character is an American with a very different background. Read on to learn more about Connor Storrie, from how he perfected that Russian accent to the secret behind his chemistry with Williams.

Connor Storrie is a Texan actor who previously appeared in a notorious superhero movie.

Connor Storrie, 25, grew up in Odessa, West Texas, before moving to L.A. to pursue acting. Though there was a hockey team in his hometown, Storrie revealed in a MuchMusic interview that he spent his childhood training as a gymnast

Before Heated Rivalry, Storrie appeared in an episode of the Hulu series Tiny Beautiful Things; the 2023 coming-of-age movie Riley; and the 2025 thriller April X. He also had a minor role in Joker: Folie a Deux last year, where he played a character that he had to keep secret until the film's premiere. Avoiding spoilers, I'll just say he was an Arkham Asylum inmate who had a profound effect on Arthur Fleck (played by Oscar winner Joaquin Phoenix).

"I just couldn’t believe I was there and what I was doing," Storrie said in an October 2024 interview with Variety. "It was so under wraps. I didn’t know anything else about the movie except that part in it. They were very serious. I didn’t say anything to anyone for two years."

He also addressed the polarizing discourse around the film, commending director Todd Phillips, despite the sequel's low box office. Storrie argued, "[I'd] rather things be polarizing than things be boring or squeaky clean."

Connor Storrie hadn't studied Russian at all before 'Heated Rivalry.'

Russian viewers have praised Storrie's accent in the days since Heated Rivalry's debut, but surprisingly, the actor does not have Russian heritage and didn't speak the language before landing the role of Ilya. According to Teen Vogue, Storrie spent three weeks taking four-hour lessons to learn the show's Russian dialogue.

"Honestly, I’ve always just thought [the] Russian language and Russian culture was really cool. It’s so different from American culture, so it feels really exotic and out there from where I come from,” Storrie said in an interview with ETalk. “So getting to play anything that is as far away from me as possible I feel like is really enlightening.”

Speaking to Out, the actor reiterated that his fascination with the language was part of why he enjoyed the role. "Selfishly, I just love Russian language. I love any opportunity to do an accent, learn a new skill, and this had all of it."

Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams's real-life love languages helped them bring Ilya and Shane to life.

While doing press for Heated Rivalry, Storrie and his co-star Williams have shown off the easy chemistry that made their performances so magnetic. In an interview with Swooon, the pair, who became "super close, super quick" while filming, said that they both tapped into their real-life love language to embody the love story between Ilya and Shane.

“We’re both pretty tactile people in terms of love languages and how you express yourself,” Storrie explained. “We both like physical touch, whether it’s with friends, family, partners. When these characters are feeling good towards each other, I think we knew consciously to allow that to come out. The fun of that ends up being what it looks like [for Shane and Ilya] and how it is different from us, personally. That’s an impulse that is kind of naturally within us. We also became super close, super quick, so that makes it even easier, too.”

"Just with friends, I don’t feel like I am fully able to be earnest with them if I don’t establish a touch barrier with them—consensually, of course!" Williams added. "But the similarity for me and Shane is that, especially when we’re in love, there needs to be constant touching even when the scene isn’t intimate in that sort of way."

Williams also revealed that filming one of the show's sex scenes sometimes felt easier than one where Ilya and Shane are fighting the urge to touch each other. "It can feel like a 10-mile drive to brush a cheek," he said. "But we had such a good relationship that I was able to express myself in that way through Shane and with Connor. That was really lovely."

'Heated Rivalry' creator Jacob Tierney says there's "no reason" for Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams's sexuality to be public.

Since Heated Rivalry's debut, Storrie and Williams have been subjected to the divisive phenomenon of fans speculating on celebrities's sexualities. Neither of the actors has spoken out on the matter, but the show's creator, Jacob Tierney, argues that the speculation is irrelevant to the stars's casting.

"I don’t think there’s any reason to get into that stuff," Tierney said in an Xtra interview. "I’ll tell you something about the casting of both of these roles. You can’t ask questions like that when you’re casting, right? It’s actually against the law. So what you have to gauge is somebody’s enthusiasm and willingness to do the work."

He continued, "And that’s what’s so impressive about both of these guys is they came into this being like, 'Yeah, we’re here to do this, and we are here to make this story feel authentic and to be as real as possible.' And they fucking hit it out of the park."

Tierney added, referring to the pair's audition, "Their chemistry was just insane. It was always going to be about chemistry. We loved both of them separately, and then seeing them together, it was just like perfection. We couldn’t ask for more."

This holiday season, romance fans can't stop talking about HBO Max and Crave's latest series Heated Rivalry. Created by Jacob Tierney, the Canadian gay hockey-romance based on Rachel Reid's novel of the same name follows the love story between superstar players Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie), told over eight years as they face off on the court and secretly hook up in their off-hours. Created by Jacob Tierney, the new series doesn't shy away from the spicy scenes from the book, nor the messy emotions as the two men slowly fall for each other.

Since the November 28 premiere, viewers have been flooding social media with praise for the six-part series, with the hype growing day-by-day as the fandom grows. To bring the latest #BookTok-to-screen adaptation to life, Tierney gathered a cast of talented young stars and TV veterans, including some a real-life sports star. Below, read on to learn more about the cast of Heated Rivalry, including where to follow them as we wait for more episodes.

Hudson Williams as Shane Hollander

Shane is an Asian Canadian player who's known as a genius, dedicated hockey player with a spotless reputation. In addition to being an anchor on his national team, Shane becomes captain of the Montreal Metros and a star of the fictional Major League Hockey (MLH).

Hudson Williams, 24, is a Korean-Canadian actor who got his start in short films and went on to appear in movies like 2024's All I Need for Christmas and Nobody Dumps My Daughter. Earlier this year, he appeared in an episode of the CBS series Tracker. Heated Rivalry is his first major television role.

Instagram: @hudsonwilliamsofficial

Connor Storrie as Ilya Rozanov

Ilya is a classic bad boy from Russia, cocky with a penchant for trash talk. He becomes a member of the Boston Raiders MLH team in the same draft as Shane, and he can't help but be curious about his fellow star rookie. Off the court, Ilya is plagued with family drama and high pressure to represent his motherland.

Connor Storrie, 25, is a Texas-born actor who has previously appeared in small roles in the Hulu series Tiny Beautiful Things and 2024's Joker: Folie à Deux. In addition to Heated Rivalry, he also had a lead role in the 2025 thriller April X.

Instagram: @connorstorrieofficial

Christina Chang as Yuna Hollander

Yuna is Shane's mom and manager, who's thrilled that he joins her favorite MLH team. She and Shane's dad David (Nip/Tuck's Dylan Walsh) are very supportive, though sometimes Yuna can be too hands-on.

Christina Chang, 54, is a Taiwanese-American actress who has appeared in TV shows and films since the late '90s, including 2007's Live Free or Die Hard, and the hit series 24 and Desperate Housewives. She's best known for playing Dr. Audrey Lim in the long-running medical drama The Good Doctor.

Instagram: @thechristinachang_

Sophie Nélisse as Rose Landry

Yellowjackets star Sophie Nélisse is set to appear in Heated Rivalry as Rose Landry, an American actress who Shane dates. The 25-year-old Canadian rose to fame as an award-winning child star in films like Monsieur Lazhar and The Book Thief, before her breakout role as young Shauna Shipman. Most recently, Nélisse has appeared in the horror movie Whistle, and the French-Canadian thriller L’indétectable.

Instagram: @sophie__nelisse

Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova as Svetlana Vetrova

Svetlana, Ilya's childhood friend (and occasional friend-with-benefits) is played by Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova. The actress and model of Russian-Caribbean descent had a small role in the 2017 film Downsizing, before making her TV debut on a season 2 episode of Prime Video's The Boys. Most recently, she appeared in FX's Adults and Disney's A Very Jonas Christmas Movie.

Instagram: @daniela.xk

François Arnaud as Scott Hunter

Scott Hunter is a veteran hockey player and a role model for Shane, though they play on different teams. As book fans know, the New York Admirals player Hunter has his own love story in Game Changer, the first book in Rachel Reid's series. (Heated Rivalry is the second.)

François Arnaud, 40, is a Montreal-born actor who rose to fame with his leading role as Cesare Borgia in Showtime's period drama The Borgias. His other notable roles include NBC's Blindspot and Midnight, Texas; Lifetime's UnREAL; CBC's Schitt's Creek, and Showtime's Yellowjackets. The openly-bisexual star has also been in a relationship with fellow actor Marc Bendavid since 2022.

Instagram: @francoisarnaud

 Robbie G.K. as Kip Grady

Kip Grady, Scott's boyfriend from Game Changer, is also set to appear in Heated Rivalry. He's played by Robbie G.K., 29, who previously starred in Canadian shows like Utopia Falls and The Next Step. Earlier this year, he played Riley in Prime Video's college comedy Overcompensating.

Instagram: @robsgk

Harrison Browne as Connors

Hockey fans will spot real-life player Harrison Browne, 32, playing one of Ilya's teammates, Connors. Browne was assigned female at birth and competed in the National Women's Hockey League before he came out as transgender in 2016, becoming the first openly trans player in professional hockey.

After his retirement in 2018, Browne started a new career as an actor and filmmaker, appearing on shows like Y: The Last Man and Nancy Drew. Earlier this year, he made his directorial debut with the short film Pink Light, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. He also co-wrote the non-fiction book Let Us Play: Winning the Battle for Gender Diverse Athletes.

Instagram: @hbrowne24

On the Sunday before Halloween, It: Welcome to Derry arrived on HBO to extend Spooky Season into the holidays. Developed by the minds behind It and It: Chapter Two, HBO's original prequel series returns viewers to Derry, Maine, 27 years before the events of the 2017 and 2019 film adaptations of Stephen King's iconic novel. Set in 1962, Welcome to Derry takes place during an earlier active cycle where IT (the shapeshifting evil that sometimes appears as Pennywise) awakens to terrorize and feed on the town's children.

Ahead of Welcome to Derry's debut on October 26, 2025, HBO kept character and plot details under wraps, to hide the new series's extensive connections to both IT and King's other novels. With the season finale airing on December 14, it's time to learn more about the kids and adults who take on the entity in the horror series. Below, read on for everything we know about the cast of It: Welcome to Derry.

Miles Ekhardt as Matthew "Matty" Clements

It: Welcome to Derry kicks off with the disappearance of Matty, a 12-year-old boy who still uses a pacifier and likes to sneak into movie screenings. Fleeing a difficult home life, Matty comes across trouble as he tries to run away from his deadly hometown.

Miles Ekhardt is a child actor who made his professional debut last year, with his role as Davis's younger brother Noah in the film adaptation of YA author John Green's Turtles All the Way Down.

Clara Stack as Lilly Bainbridge

Lilly, a friend of Matty's, is known by the moniker "Loony," as she previously spent time in the Juniper Hill Asylum following her father's tragic death. She's the first to get an unbelievable, terrifying vision.

At 4-years-old, Clara Stack began acting in local theater productions, including Annie and The Music Man. Before Welcome to Derry, she appeared in episodes of Madam Secretary, Bull, Almost Family, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. After playing young Kate Bishop in the Disney+/Marvel series Hawkeye, she appeared in the Disney original Christmas movie The Naughty Nine.

Mikkal Karim-Fidler as Teddy Uris

Teddy (above, right) was also friends with Matty; he, Phil, and Matty seemed to make up a proto-Losers Club before Matty's disappearance. While it hasn't been confirmed, Teddy is likely related to It's Stanley Uris.

Before Welcome to Derry, Mikkal Karim-Fidler had small roles in shows including Six, 50 States of Fright, and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. He also appeared in the 2023 Lifetime movie Boy in the Walls.

Jack Molloy Legault as Phil Malkin

Phil (above, right) is a nerdy, chatty kid who's obsessed with aliens and may remind viewers of IT's Richie Tozier. As the kids investigate Lilly's vision, Phil's younger sister Susie tags along.

Jack Molloy Legault, 15, made his screen debut in 2020 with the Lifetime movie Christmas Ever After. He previously appeared in the Prime Video mystery-thriller Three Pines, and he voiced Slippy in the animated series Interstellar Ella.

Fun fact: Susie Malkin is played by Jack's real-life sister Matilda Legault, who played young Maxine in Ginny & Georgia season 3.

Amanda Christine as Veronica “Ronnie” Grogan

Ronnie spends her free time helping her dad, Hank Grogan, run Derry's movie theater. She was one of the last people to see Matty alive and has been experiencing visions, too.

Amanda Christine, 16, grew up in Virginia and landed her first commercial at age 4. She made her TV debut in 2016 with small roles on How to Get Away With Murder and Black-ish, going on to appear in several movies as well as episodes of Colony, 9-1-1, and A Black Lady Sketch Show. She also had a major role in the Prime Video horror movie Black Box.

Matilda Lawler as Marge Truman

Marge (above, wearing glasses) is one of Lilly's best friends, but she also wants to join the popular clique in their class, the Pattycakes (led by Patty). Unfortunately, her fear of not fitting in means she can be a less-than-helpful friend to a traumatized Lilly.

Matilda Lawler, 17, is a child of actors who made her Broadway debut in the 2018 production of The Ferryman. She went on to star as Young Kirsten in HBO Max's TV adaptation of Station Eleven, for which she received a Gotham Awards nomination for Outstanding Performance in a New Series. She is also known for playing Frances Montgomery on HBO's The Gilded Age.

Jovan Adepo as Major Leroy Hanlon

Major Leroy Hanlon is a decorated pilot and Korean War veteran who has recently been assigned to the Air Force base in Derry. Early in his move, self-described optimist Leroy has to deal with both racism from his fellow soldiers and danger surrounding the base's secrets.

Jovan Adepo, 37, is a familiar face for both HBO viewers and fans of Stephen King adaptations. The British-American actor previously starred in the films Fences, Mother!, and Babylon, as well as the shows The Leftovers, When They See Us, and Watchmen (for which his performance as Hooded Justice earned an Emmy nomination). Adepo also played Larry Underwood in Paramount+'s 2020 adaptation of The Stand. Next up, Adepo's set to appear in Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, and to reprise his role as Saul Durand in season 2 of Netflix's 3 Body Problem.

Taylour Paige as Charlotte Hanlon

Leroy's wife, Charlotte Hanlon, was active in the civil rights movement in Louisiana, where the Hanlons lived before moving to Derry. As reported by Gizmodo, "Derry has its share of injustices that catch Charlotte’s interest, and it’s hard for her to resist speaking up for what’s right."

Taylour Paige, 35, grew up a dancer in Inglewood, California, including stints training under Debbie Allen and performing as a Laker Girl. She has previously appeared in movies including White Boy Rick, Zola, Boogie, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Sharp Stick, and Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F. She earned a Grammy nomination for appearing on Kendrick Lamar's spoken-word track "We Cry Together."

Blake Cameron James as Will Hanlon

Blake Cameron James plays Will Hanlon, Leroy and Charlotte's young son who, as an adult, will be the father of IT's Mike Hanlon. The 15-year-old actor is best known for starring as Malik in the acclaimed indie drama We Grown Now, for which he received an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Youth in a Motion Picture. He also appeared in an episode of the short-lived crime drama Found.

Arian S. Cartaya as Rich

On Will's first day in Derry, he becomes friends with Rich, a band kid with a crush on Marge.

Arian S. Cartaya is a young actor who made his TV debut in the first season of HBO Max's short-lived comedy Gordita Chronicles. He has also appeared in the telenovela Juego de mentiras and the Apple TV+ series Bad Monkey.

Stephen Rider as Hank Grogan

Hank Grogan, the projectionist at a Derry movie theater, is a widower who raises his son, Ronnie, with his mother (BJ Harrison) after his wife's death. He's played by Stephen Rider, 46, who had previously auditioned to play adult Mike Hanlon in IT: Chapter Two.

Rider made his film debut in the 2007 drama film The Great Debaters after being discovered by Denzel Washington. He has since appeared in 2013's The Host and The Butler, the Showtime series Shameless, the Netflix/Marvel shows Daredevil and Luke Cage, and the CBS procedural Instinct.

Rudy Mancuso as Captain Pauly Russo

Pauly is Leroy's loyal friend and fellow pilot, who served with him in Korea and also moved to Derry. The captain is played by Rudy Mancuso, 33, who rose to fame with his popular musical-comedy videos on Vine and YouTube. He co-wrote, directed, starred in, and composed the soundtrack for the 2024 Prime Video rom-com Música, which co-starred Riverdale alum Camila Mendes. After falling in love while filming Música in July 2022, Manusco and Mendes got engaged a few days before the premiere of Welcome to Derry.

Chris Chalk as Dick Hallorann

Dick Hallorann is a fellow soldier at Derry's Air Force base, who has a supernatural talent—you could call it a "shine"—and an important role in a top-secret mission. Stephen King fans better know the man from another famed novel, The Shining. (Yes, it's the same character, who's also mentioned in the IT novel.)

Chris Chalk, 47, is a long-time TV actor and scene-stealer who previously starred in Homeland, The Newsroom, Underground, Gotham, When They See Us, Shining Girls, Perry Mason, and Feud: Capote vs. the Swans. He has also appeared in the movies 12 Years a Slave, Detroit, Godzilla vs. Kong, and All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt.

James Remar as General Shaw

Shaw is the leader of Derry's military base, who recruited Leroy Hanlon and Dick Halloran for a mysterious mission involving IT. He's played by James Remar, 71, a film and TV actor with a four-decade-spanning career.

Remar is best known for his roles as hotel magnate Richard Wright in Sex and the City and father Harry Morgan in the Dexter franchise. Next up, he's set to appear in Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, following his role as Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson in 2023's Oscar-winning Oppenheimer.

Kimberly Norris Guerrero as Rose

Rose is the owner of the thrift shop Secondhand Rose, and a member of Derry's fictional Shokopiwah tribe. Readers who recall the tribe's mention in the novel know that Rose is hiding some big secrets.

Kimberly Norris Guerrero is a Native American actor with Salish-Kootenai heritage and an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, per UC Riverside. Notable roles in her career include appearances on Seinfeld, Charmed, Grey's Anatomy, The Wilds, and Rutherford Falls, as well as playing Auntie B in Reservation Dogs. She also originated the role of Johnna in August: Osage County, performing the role in the play's Chicago, Broadway, London, and Sydney premieres.

Madeleine Stowe as Ingrid

One of the most mysterious characters in Welcome to Derry is Ingrid, an employee at Juniper Hill who befriends Lily. Ingrid is played by Madeleine Stowe, 67, who rose to fame with a string of movie roles, including 1988's Stakeout, 1992's The Last of the Mohicans, 1993's Short Cuts, and 1995's 12 Monkeys. After her semi-retirement to Texas in the 2000s, Stowe made her major TV debut with the iconic role of Victoria Grayson in the ABC soap Revenge.

Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise

Though it took him a while to appear, no It story is complete without Pennywise, the most well-known form of the mystical evil that haunts Derry. Reprising his iconic role is Bill Skarsgård, the 35-year-old son of Stellan Skarsgård and brother of Alexander Skarsgård.

Born in Stockholm, Sweden, Bill started as a child actor and rose to fame in the U.S. with roles in Netflix's Hemlock Grove, 2012's Anna Karenina, and 2016's Atomic Blonde. Since his debut as Pennywise in 2017, the star has appeared in films such as Deadpool 2, Eternals, John Wick: Chapter 4, The Crow, and Nosferatu, as well as the series Clark and Castle Rock.

The 2025 Emmys are the time to celebrate the best in TV, but before the awards show even began, fans found out that they're about to bid farewell to a beloved comedy series.

While walking the Emmys red carpet, Hacks star Hannah Einbinder revealed that the upcoming fifth season of the hit HBO Max series will be its final installment.

“It will feel different,” Einbinder told E! host Heather McMahan, per Variety. “We’re going to start [filming] next week, and knowing it’s the last season is really bittersweet. But I think it’s right, you know?"

The actress, who stars opposite Jean Smart on the series, added, "It’s nice to do something as many times as it should be done. Not overstay your welcome. Rip it and do it and laugh and cry."

The beloved showbiz comedy, created by Lucia Anello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky about the relationship between a stand-up legend and her younger writer, was renewed for its fifth season in May 2025, days before its season 4 finale. Before Einbender's announcement, the showrunners had previously said in interviews that they were unsure whether they would stick to their original five-season plan for the series.

"We are now breaking up season 5, and we have to see how many episodes it will take us to get to where we know we’re going to go," Downs said back in May.

"The final scene of the final episode has been in our minds since 2015, and we’re excited to get there. But that may take more episodes than we can fit in the season...The truth is that we’ve been really lucky to be able to tell the story in the way that the writing requires, and we’re gonna do that again. And so if we can’t get to that final chapter in 10, and it might be more—we just don’t know. That’s the truth. We know where we’re going, we just don’t know how long it will take to get there."

Fans may recall that the acclaimed season 4 of Hacks concluded with Smart's Deborah Vance down on her luck and living in Singapore after leaving late-night TV and facing a non-compete clause. However, it sets up the forthcoming episodes as a false report of her death inspires a fire in her and her writer/mentee, Ava (Einbinder), to return to the U.S. and fight the industry to reclaim her work.

This year's Emmys ceremony marked a big night for Hacks, which was nominated for 14 awards, including Outstanding Comedy Series.

The stars took home major prizes. Smart won her fourth consecutive Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Emmy for playing Deborah Vance (marking her seventh Emmy overall). Meanwhile, Einbinder took home her first-ever award, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, for her performance as Ava Daniels.

Einbender, who is known for being vocal about both social justice issues and her love of the Philadelphia Eagles, ended her speech by saying, "Go Birds, fuck ICE, and free Palestine."

In January 2022, HBO debuted The Gilded Age, a period drama chronicling the titular American era of decadence and societal change. Created by Downton Abbey's Julian Fellowes, the must-watch series applied the upstairs-downstairs approach of his British hit to a few upper-class families in N.Y.C. at the turn of the 19th century, while highlighting the power struggle between new-money schemers, represented by Bertha Russell (Carrie Coon), as they clash with old-money scions, like Agnes van Rhijn (Christine Baranski). (Also, props to The Gilded Age for including a rare depiction of upper-class Black Brooklyn society at the time!)

Three years later, The Gilded Age has reached new heights, with season 3 drawing in more viewers than ever and growing to surprisingly life-or-death stakes compared to the show's low-stakes beginnings. (Remember when season 1's finale hinged on getting Mrs. Astor to attend a ball?) Since the season 3 finale on August 10, 2025, fans have been clamoring for news of the show's future. Read on for everything we know about The Gilded Age season 4 so far.

Has 'The Gilded Age' been renewed for season 4?

Yes! HBO announced the renewal on July 28, two weeks before the season 3 finale. The renewal came as the series continued to reach new viewership feats week after week. According to Deadline, ahead of the season 3 finale, The Gilded Age was "adding viewers at a rate nearly 50 percent higher than in previous seasons."

"We couldn’t be prouder of the undeniable viewership heights The Gilded Age has achieved this season,” said Francesca Orsi, EVP, HBO Programming, Head of HBO Drama Series and Films. "Transporting us to 1880s New York City, Julian Fellowes and the enormously talented cast and crew have created a 'cant-miss it' entertainment experience from week to week, and we’re delighted to continue exploring these characters’ grand ambitions for what we promise will be a thrilling fourth season."

When will 'The Gilded Age' season 4 come out?

There's no official release date for season 4 yet, so the timeline for new episodes is unclear. However, in mid-December 2025, HBO dropped a teaser for its 2026 slate, and The Gilded Age was among the shows featured (along with other tentpole hits like Euphoria and House of the Dragon, as well as new releases like Lanterns). So, that being said, the period drama should return sometime in 2026.

As for when exactly, we can look back at previous seasons to get a sense. For example, season 1 premiered in January 2022, followed by season 2 in October 2023, and season 3 in June 2025. Although, the 2023 Hollywood strikes contributed to the delay between seasons 2 and 3, so the wait won't be as long for season 4. We would bet that the new episodes will start airing in fall 2026.

Which of the cast will return for 'The Gilded Age' season 4?

It's been reported that a handful of stars are confirmed to return: Carrie Coon (Bertha Russell), Morgan Spector (George Russell), Taissa Farmiga (Gladys Russell), Taissa Farmiga, (Gladys Russell), Harry Richardson (Larry Russell), Christine Baranski (Agnes van Rhijn), Cynthia Nixon (Ada Brook), Louisa Jacobson (Marian Brook), Audra McDonald (Dorothy Scott), Denée Benton (Peggy Scott), Blake Ritson (Oscar van Rhijn), Jordan Donica (Dr. William Kirkland), Ashlie Atkinson (Mamie Fish), and Kelley Curran (Enid "Turner" Winterton).

In fact, according to a February 2026 casting announcement from Deadline, we'll see even more of Donica and Atkinson, who have been promoted to series regulars in season 4. As fans may recall, Dr. William Kirklan proposed to Peggy—without his family's approval—at the Newport, Rhode Island gala in the season 3 finale. So, it makes sense we'll see more of the actor going forward. Could a wedding be in store next season? Or at least tensions to be dealt with among Peggy and William's disapproving family? We'll have to wait and see!

We know that Curran will also be featured more heavily. Deadline reported that she’s been upped as a series regular going forward. That makes sense, considering Oscar van Rhijn was considering her for a marriage of convenience in season 3—so it's safe to say there may be more than a few engagements and/or weddings in the next installment.

Though they have yet to be officially confirmed, several other major stars will likely return, including Ben Lamb (Hector, Duke of Buckingham), Kelli O'Hara (Aurora Fane), Donna Murphy (Mrs. Astor), Ben Ahlers (Jack Treacher), Douglas Sills (Monsieur Baudin), Celia Keenan-Bolger (Mrs. Bruce), Simon Jones (Mr. Bannister), Jack Gilpin (Church), Debra Monk (Armstrong), Phylicia Rashad (Elizabeth Kirkland), and Brian Stokes Mitchell (Frederick Kirland.)

However, it remains to be seen if characters who were ousted from society will return in some capacity. Fingers crossed that Nathan Lane (Ward McAllister) will be back at some point!

Are there any new cast members in 'The Gilded Age' season 4?

In mid-February 2026, Deadline unveiled several new faces joining season 4 and teased their roles. As is typical of the show, many of the newcomers hail from the stage, including Tony-winner and Kimberly Akimbo star Bonnie Milligan, Tony-nominee Taylor Trensch (Bat Boy: The Musical), James Scully (Oh, Mary! and Netflix's You), Maggie Kuntz (John Proctor is the Villain), and Neal Huff (To Kill a Mockingbird). Dennis Haysbert (The Unit, Lucifer) also joins the show.

According to Deadline, some of the new additions will be playing real people: Milligan plays The Ladies' Home Journal editor Mrs. Knapp Curtis, while Huff brings to life businessman/oil tycoon John D. Rockefeller. "A thin, self-made man of humble origins, now one of the richest and most powerful in the world. A devout Baptist and philanthropist, he does not always see eye to eye with his fellow robber barons," the outlet teased about his portrayal on the series.

Meanwhile, Trensch will portray "Oliver, "a new addition to the van Rhijn household," Scully joins as artist Lee Klein, Kuntz plays one of the Astors's cousins, the free-spirited Fiona Summers, and Haysbert plays William Kirkland's mentor, Dr. Reginald Harris.

And that’s not all! Even more exciting castings (of primarily theater actors) were announced in early March. Elizabeth Marvel (Presumed Innocent, Homeland), Andrew Burnap (Snow White, Under the Banner of Heaven), Dallas Roberts (The Walking Dead), and stand-up comedian Jim Gaffigan will all appear in guest roles. 

Deadline teased their characters, as well. Marvel plays Virginia Saville, “a kind nurse who works at the Neighborhood Settlement House in the Lower East Side,” and Burnap will play Porter, “a young gentleman of Society with an Ivy League education and money to invest in exciting new ventures.” Gaffigan and Roberts, meanwhile, will portray a few more real-life figures, President Grover Cleveland and Secretary of Treasury Daniel Manning, respectively. 

What will 'The Gilded Age' season 4 be about?

HBO has shared a synopsis for season 4: "Bertha Russell changed Society at a cost. Now, her family must reckon with the consequences as Agnes van Rhijn seizes an opportunity to regain her position. Meanwhile, Marian forges a new path for herself, and Peggy works to be accepted by her future in-laws. In this new era, you must be careful what you wish for."

We'll have to see how that all plays out, considering season 3 ended with the unthinkable, in which it seemed as if the Russells were done for good. After the show's most fascinating and ambitious couple spent the season at odds over their daughter Gladys's marriage, George recovers from being shot, but his near-death experience prompts him to leave his wife Bertha after her Newport Ball. The Russells's marriage is the best part of the show for most fans, so their separation and reconciliation (I'm manifesting it) will be a large part of season 4. (Also, George gets addicted to laudanum? We'll see.)

Both Russells shared their thoughts on the split in the hours following the season 3 finale. Morgan Spector was optimistic, telling TVLine, "Because we know how good this couple can be together, it would be really fascinating to see them spend a season figuring out how to get back to each other."

Meanwhile, when asked by Variety whether the pair will be able to put their differences aside, Carrie Coon answered, "I don’t know. It depends what George wants." She added of George's near-death revelations, "That feels very real to me in long-term relationships. One person can go through a very transformative experience that the other person doesn’t have access to, and it takes them a while to find their way back to each other."

Season 4 will also be a big season for engagements: Marian and Larry are still on course; Peggy is newly betrothed to her beau William (despite his mother's objections); and Oscar may be headed toward a lavender marriage with Enid. Also, despite her initial devastation at marrying a stranger, Gladys is happily pregnant by the season finale.

While speaking with Marie Claire about the season 3 finale, Taissa Farmiga shared her hopes for Gladys in season 4, including whether she might continue her arc in England or return to America. "What sets us apart from Downton Abbey is that it's American history, and I'm curious how much they [will] show Gladys in England, or would she be able to come back and, I don't know, bring some English manners and chaos to New York?" she said. "I hope I don't have to play pregnant too long. I don't want to have to wear a corset with a pregnancy belt. Let's just throw this out there—maybe Julian reads this. But also I'll do what I have to do!"

As for how Gladys will approach being a mother, Farmiga said, "I think she will be more inspired by George's parenting than by Bertha's parenting. I think she's going to want to give more of the emotional comfort that Bertha doesn't give, even though we know Bertha loves her children. She loves them so much, but sometimes a child needs a hug and a gentle smile, not like a firm guiding hand. Sometimes it's just acknowledging their feelings."

Fans and hate-watchers of Sex and the City spinoff And Just Like That... are not okay. Following the announcement that the HBO Max series will wrap at the end of its third season, the show's cast took to social media to share their thoughts about Carrie Bradshaw's story coming to an end. Sex and the City icon Kim Cattrall, who portrayed Samantha Jones in the original series and subsequent movies, also posted on Instagram, and fans are wondering if she was subtly referencing And Just Like That... abruptly ending.

Actress Kristin Davis, who plays Charlotte York, re-shared showrunner Michael Patrick King's statement announcing the end of And Just Like That... and added her own emotional message. "I am profoundly sad," Davis captioned her Instagram post. "I love our whole beautiful cast and crew. 400 artisans working so hard on our show with deep love...And to our loyal fans, we love you forever and ever." She also commented on the post, writing, "Thank you to you all...You hold me up and I do not take it for granted."

Meanwhile, Cattrall—who famously declined returning for the Sex and the City spinoff—shared a photo of a beautiful sunset, along with the caption, "It's the end of a very long week."

Even though Cattrall's Instagram didn't reference the Sex and the City spinoff, fans interpreted the timing of her post as being connected to the show's cancellation.

Cynthia Nixon, who has played Miranda Hobbs throughout the franchise, shared her own tribute on Instagram. "I can't believe our wild beautiful And Just Like That ride is almost over," she captioned her post. "It has been such a delight from start to finish. I will miss working with these people everyday SO incredibly much but know we will always be a part of each other's lives. Get ready for a lot more carousels in the weeks to come! And don't miss these last few episodes: surprises in store!"

Still, most And Just Like That... hate-watchers will agree: there's no better time to start planning that Samantha Jones in London spinoff starring Cattrall.

2025 is the year that medical shows flew to the top of every TV fanatic's watchlist. The medical drama has been a staple genre since the early days, with legendary classic TV shows bringing in hundreds of millions of viewers with their well-worn yet effective tropes. In recent years, several new series have revived the genre as a pop culture phenomenon with their refreshing takes on the everyday highs and lows (including global staffing and funding issues) that health care workers live through today.

Whether you're a longtime fan looking for your next re-watch or a Pitt-pilled newbie to the genre, we've compiled the best medical dramas, comedies, and miniseries, from the feel-good comfort watches to the emotional rollercoasters. Below, read on for our curated list of the best medical shows ever.

'Berlin ER' (2025– )

International TV offers a wealth of shows for viewers willing to overcome the one-inch barrier of subtitles, and the U.S. isn't the only country making great medical shows. Premiered during the medical-drama boom of early 2025, this German-language series has been likened to The Pitt for its no-holds-barred look at the pressures facing an under-resourced staff in an overcrowded hospital. (It may even be more anxiety-inducing than its peer, so fair warning.) When Dr. Suzanna Parker (Dear Child's Haley Louise Jones) is hired as the head of emergency medicine at KRANK, the "worst hospital in Berlin," she quickly learns just how massive a challenge she's facing.

WATCH ON APPLE TV+

'Call the Midwife' (2012– )

This long-running British period drama follows the women of Nonnatus House, a convent in a poor East London neighborhood where nurse midwives provide health care to the community. Starting in 1957, each season features diseases and issues ranging from tuberculosis, polio, and typhoid, to abortion, interracial marriage, and the invention of the contraceptive pill. While it doesn't shy away from the heavy realities of childbirth, the young midwives's friendships and love lives help Call the Midwife retain a comfort-show feel.

WATCH ON NETFLIX

'ER' (1994–2009)

Of the early shows that led to the medical drama becoming a TV staple—from City Hospital to M*A*S*H to St. Elsewhere—ER stands apart. In addition to launching the careers of stars like George Clooney and Noah Wyle, ER raised the bar for dramatic storytelling and pacing, blowing the minds of the 1994 TV audience when they were introduced to the emergency room doctors at Chicago’s County General. Sure, the social issues they faced are now a bit dated, but if you're a medical-show fan who hasn't watched, the 300+ episodes will likely still blow you away.

WATCH ON HBO MAX

'Grey's Anatomy' (2005– )

Oh, where would TV be without Grey's? For 20 years, Shonda Rhimes's landmark series set at Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital has become a Thursday night staple, dominated "best TV couples" rankings, and inspired a generation of fans to enter the medical profession themselves. From the original cohort with Meredith (Ellen Pompeo), Cristina (Sandra Oh), and McDreamy (Patrick Dempsey), to recent favorites like Carina (Stefania Spampinato) and Taryn (Jaicy Elliot), there's a new favorite TV doctor for everyone among the show's 21 (and counting) seasons.

WATCH ON NETFLIX

'Hart of Dixie' (2011–2015)

Hear us out: It wouldn't be right not to include the city-doctor-moves-to-small-town subgenre on this list, and Hart of Dixie is the type of soapy-yet-lighthearted comfort show that deserves a slot. (It narrowly edged out Virgin River.) N.Y.C. doctor Zoe Hart (Rachel Bilson) learns that her late biological father was a general practitioner in the rural town of Bluebell, Alabama. When she moves there to take over the practice, she must adjust to both her new home and her dad's former business partner, Brick Breeland (Tim Matheson). Of course, there's also a dash of rom-com in the love triangle between Zoe and locals Wade (Wilson Bethel) and George (Scott Porter).

WATCH ON PRIME VIDEO

'Hospital Playlist' (2020–2021)

One of the most beloved K-dramas of the past five years, this series centers on the doctors, patients, and staff at the fictional Yulje Medical Center, a Seoul university hospital. Five doctors who met during medical school are now best friends working across different departments, and come together at night to rehearse for their band. If you fall in love with the charming cast, don't worry—the spinoff Resident Playbook is full of cameos, and we're keeping our fingers crossed that a Hospital Playlist season 3 is on the horizon.

WATCH ON NETFLIX

'House' (2004–2012)

Most of the shows mentioned so far in this list have been heartwarming at their core; Dr. Gregory House would probably hate them. This is a pure procedural, with the titular doctor (played by Hugh Laurie) and his colleague James Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard) spending each episode diagnosing mind-bending afflictions (which are never lupus). The antisocial curmudgeon Dr. House is a legendary TV character, and watching the show get to the truth of him throughout the show's early seasons is a fascinating watch.

WATCH ON HULU

'Lenox Hill' (2020)

While scripted medical shows are filled with fictional versions of the everyday heroes in the healthcare industry, this Netflix docuseries spotlights four real-life doctors. Filmed in the titular N.Y.C. hospital over several months, the series was lauded for covering a wide scope of personal issues affecting medical professionals, from the immense emotional toll and stakes of their work, to the dearth of physicians of color, to the experience of delivering babies while carrying their own. Lenox Hill even ends with a special episode covering the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

WATCH ON NETFLIX

'M*A*S*H' (1972–1983)

M*A*S*H is one of the most well-known classic TV shows; 105.97 million people watched the series finale, which is the most-watched scripted TV episode in history. Based on the 1970 film of the same name, the Korean War dramedy centers on the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital staff, as they treat their fellow soldiers and struggle against the strict military bureaucracy. Though it shows its age at times, M*A*S*H is an essential watch for TV historians.

WATCH ON HULU

'New Amsterdam' (2018–2023)

If you didn't catch New Amsterdam during its Netflix boost in 2023, it's never too late to watch one of the most popular medical shows in recent years. Set at the New Amsterdam Medical Center and based on N.Y.C.'s oldest hospital, Bellevue, the warm-hearted series follows idealistic medical director Max Goodwin (Ryan Eggold) as he sets out to transform the hospital into one that puts patients before bureaucracy. (A common theme, if you haven't noticed, but Eggold sells it particularly well.)

WATCH ON PEACOCK

'Nurse Jackie' (2009–2015)

Several medical dramas have depicted health providers struggling with addiction, but these tend to be supporting characters. On this Showtime hit, Edie Falco plays Jackie Peyton, who does excellent work in an N.Y.C. emergency department, while also going in and out of rehab for her pill addiction. Falco and Merritt Wever both won Emmys for their performances as mentor Jackie and mentee Zoey, whose complicated relationship was a highlight of the series.

WATCH ON PRIME VIDEO

'The Pitt'

If you've made it to May 2025 without watching The Pitt, you're doing yourself a disservice. The series from star, writer, and executive producer Noah Wyle is another fast-paced series set in a beleaguered emergency department, but it grabs your attention by skewing away from all the well-worn tropes of contemporary medical dramas (much like another series did in its heyday). The illnesses, injuries, and treatments are mundane and hyper-realistic; the social issues the staff addresses are nationwide concerns; and every character is fleshed out and feels like a real person from the moment they step into the room (shoutout to the night staff). There's a reason every TV fanatic you know literally cannot wait for The Pitt season 2.

WATCH ON MAX

'Scrubs' (2001–2010)

This medical comedy from Shrinking creator Bill Lawrence is one of the most beloved comedies in TV history; think Grey's Anatomy, but tone down the soapy drama and turn up the goofball humor. (Fans miss it so much that a reboot is on the horizon.) Set at Sacred Heart Hospital, the workplace sitcom is powered by its charming ensemble, from medical intern J.D. (Zach Braff) and surgeon Turk's (Donald Faison) iconic friendship to chief resident Cox (John C. McGinley) and nurse Carla (Judy Reyes).

WATCH ON HULU

'St. Denis Medical' (2024– )

Fans of mockumentary comedies like The Office, Parks and Recreation, and Abbott Elementary have a new series to add to their watchlists. This feel-good series follows the eclectic staff of an underfunded Oregon emergency department as they try to stay sane while doing their jobs. This show handles the woes of the healthcare system with a good mix of absurd, silly, and downright dark humor, featuring great characters, from clear-headed head nurse Alex (Allison Tolman) to know-it-all Dr. Ron (David Alan Grier) to ambitious administrator Joyce (Wendi McLendon-Covey).

WATCH ON PEACOCK

'This Is Going to Hurt' (2022)

This underrated gem gives an up-close look at the provider side of the U.K.'s National Health Service, based on creator Adam Kay's searing memoir about his time as a junior doctor. The seven-episode miniseries is set in an understaffed and underfunded OB-GYN unit in London, where the fictional doctor Adam Kay (Ben Whishaw) trains new hire Shruti (One Day's Ambika Mod) through exhausting shifts. The BAFTA-winning series doesn't pull any punches in showing how the strenuous work affects both Adam's mental health and his relationships outside of the hospital; by the end, viewers are left reckoning with a vocation that helps so many yet demands so much.

WATCH ON PRIME VIDEO

'The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call' (2025– )

If you've ever wanted your medical show to have the same feel as an action movie, watch this K-drama. The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call centers on Baek Kang-hyuk (Ju Ji-hoon), a genius surgeon and former combat medic hired to revamp a Seoul hospital's trauma center. When he's not jumping out of a helicopter or saving a patient's life, he's butting heads with hospital administration and mentoring his new fellow Yang Jae-won (Choo Young-woo) through a trial by fire. Like many genre-bending K-dramas, Trauma Code skillfully balances thrilling scenes, laugh-out-loud comedy, and doses of emotional drama; fingers crossed it gets a second season.

WATCH ON NETFLIX

If you poked your head into a certain London dance studio for a period in 2024, you would’ve found Emmy-winning actress Julianne Nicholson preparing for a role of a lifetime: Dance Mom. She plays the suburbanite with a proclivity for sharing TikTok videos with upbeat choreography, known only by her social handle, on Hacks season 4. In the HBO Max comedy packed to the brim with guest stars, the influencer who gets a slot on the fictional Late Night with Deborah Vance is undeniably this installment’s standout new character—and the last role you would expect Nicholson to play.

“I feel like most people want to see me doing the heavier lifting,” Nicholson, age 53, tells Marie Claire over Zoom, two days before her Hacks debut in episode 5, “Clickable Face.” Since breaking out in 2013 with her scene-stealing turns in August: Osage County and Masters of Sex, the Massachusetts-born actress has become best known for dramatic roles, often playing complicated mothers (like in Janet Planet and Mare of Easttown). Just three months before Hacks, Nicholson wowed fans and critics as Sinatra, the billionaire villain viewers loved to hate in Hulu’s dystopian thriller Paradise.

With Dance Mom, the actress is excited to make viewers laugh instead of cry. “I loved it so much,” Nicholson gushes about her time working on Hacks’s “unbelievable” set. “'Lifetimes’ [by Katy Perry] was on a loop in my head. But then it was so cute, because the crew started doing it too. They started memorizing the dance and doing it back to me, which was so sweet. It made me feel so good.”

Nicholson is already getting Emmys buzz for the guest arc, and fans are obsessed with her performance; though Dance Mom is fictional, internet sleuths have even dug up a real-life TikToker who bears a resemblance. But viewers are in for a surprise with episode 7. In “D’Christening,” which hits streaming on May 15, agents Jimmy (Paul W. Downs) and Kayla (Megan Stalter) discover that their client from rural Alberta, Canada isn’t the wholesome wine mom she appears to be. Not only does she not have children, Dance Mom is spiraling after her overnight success, huffing inhalants and sexting Adam Levine while renting his $25,000-a-week home. Jimmy and Kayla’s house call is the season’s first hint that Dance Mom’s family-friendly image is going down the drain, and if you know Hacks, you know that chaos will follow.

“She's this small-town woman who had this very sheltered experience,” Nicholson says of Dance Mom’s many layers. “She's like a kid in a candy store, and she wants to eat all the candy. And some poppers.”

Below, Nicholson chats with Marie Claire about how she landed her Hacks role and what went into making her dance—no, she hasn’t done a real TikTok challenge; yes, she wants Dance Mom to become one—as well as her hopes for Paradise season 2.

Marie Claire: How did Dance Mom come about? Did Hacks come to you with the role fully formed?

Julianne Nicholson: They had written this part and had me in mind for it. They asked my agent to set up a Zoom so they could tell me about who she was and what her arc is, and I was all in. I never get to do comedy. I love Hacks anyway. They very kindly condensed my days, because I don't live in L.A. I was so flattered and excited to be invited, and I'm delighted that Dance Mom has been released into the world.

MC: Dance Mom is a departure from the dramatic roles you’re known for. Did Hacks co-creators Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky tell you why they thought of you for the role?

JN: No. I should ask them, because a few people have asked me that. First of all, I'm such a huge fan of each of them individually, and of them as a party of three. They're incredible. They're so smart, so funny, and they wear it so effortlessly. I think they have big imaginations. I feel like so much in our industry, there's a way of thinking. For business models, people feel like they have to follow a certain rule or go the known way, and I feel so excited when someone takes a risk. There's no character that I've played before that they could point to and be like, 'Yeah, I think because of that she could do this.' They just told me that they were fans of my work and thought I'd be good at it.

MC: We really get to know Dance Mom and see her spiral out of control through Jimmy and Kayla. What was it like performing opposite Paul W. Downs and Megan Stalter?

JN: I loved Hacks from the first episode, but I feel like it's gotten stronger and stronger. Every season, they get deeper into who those characters are as people and those relationships. And I love Jimmy and Kayla. That dynamic is so funny, so to get to do most of my work with them was a dream. It feels like they're just playing. It doesn't feel serious; no one makes it a big deal. There's a lot of laughter and lightness all around. Nothing's precious, so it's like, 'Try this. Try this.' They're so into it, so sometimes looking across at them, they were like little kids blinking back at me. It was a joyful place to go every day.

MC: What was the process of crafting and learning the dances?

JN: Thank God I had a choreographer. I said to my agent, 'We're gonna get a choreographer, right? Because I'm not able to come up with these dances. I don't have that in my bag of tricks.’ So I worked with this wonderful choreographer named Corey Baker. He is one of the most upbeat, sparkly, talented, joyful people I've ever met. He was my cheerleader every step of the way. I'd go up to London a couple times a week. We'd work for a few hours, and I'd be sweating by the end every time. Corey would film me, and I also would film him, so I would have both to refer to, because every move he does was completely effortless. I was never gonna get to where he did, but I could at least have ideas in my mind of where I could relax things or move my body more.

MC: Dance Mom takes a turn in episode 7. Do you feel that the fame in L.A. slowly corrupted her, or is she showing her true colors?

JN: I think that there is a sadness to her. There is a dark side there, but I don't think she's had the opportunity to explore that. I feel like some people, especially from smaller towns, when they suddenly find themselves in L.A. or New York City, it's more than they know what to do with. I think because she's a little bit unfulfilled and unhappy, this feels like it's going to be a band-aid. It's the thing that's going to fix everything, and the world is her oyster—and I think that's too much for her.

That's the genius of the writers, too. It's not commented on, so you're not expecting it at all. When you show up at her house with the pink G-Wagon outside, it's like, Oh dear.

MC: Hacks was a rare opportunity where you got to flex your comedic muscles. What do you enjoy most about doing comedy?

JN: Well, it's so fun to laugh, right? That is also a release. It's so fun to not take yourself so seriously. There is no making a fool of yourself, really. If you don't feel like a fool, then who cares what everybody else thinks? It's fun to be a part of a show that brings so many people joy and laughter. What a gift, especially right now.

MC: You were also in Paradise this year, which is nothing like Hacks. Do you feel like playing such different roles is ushering in a new era for you as an actress, or that the public perception of you could change?

JN: Honestly, I don't know. I've been doing it long enough now that it's like building a body of work. You don't know where people are going to discover your work, and you don't know which role or show people will even respond to, so I feel like it continues to shift. The more different things you do, the more different things you can show people you do, then hopefully that opens people's eyes to like, 'Well, what else can she do?' That is exciting to me.

And to be on shows of such quality. Hacks is like a top show ever made. I can't write to Paul and Lucia and Jen again and thank them because they're going to think I'm too needy or something. But I really am so grateful that they had the imagination to think of me for the role and invite me along, because I feel like most people want to see me doing the heavier lifting.

MC: What can you share about Sinatra’s journey in Paradise season 2? You said in a previous interview that Sinatra hit her lowest point in the season 1 finale, so I'm curious whether that'll force her to change her behavior in any way.

JN: I think it will. I think there will be subtle shifts, some enforced just by the nature of being unwell, and what happens in the time where she's recovering. But something like that, when you are so close to death, it will shake things up for a person. [Showrunner] Dan [Fogelman] has told me that we will be discovering much more about how Paradise actually came to be, and what needed to happen to get that place even built. There will be plots outside the bunker and inside the bunker, which is very interesting. I can't wait to see how they bring it to life.

Even in season 1, it was all on the page, so we were using our imagination with what the bunker and the whole world looks like. That first episode when we pull out from the duck and you pull up, up, up, and see those people walking along on grates, keeping the place moving. I didn't even think about the people involved in keeping this place going behind the scenes, which is, of course, a huge part of the storyline, haves and have-nots, and all of that. I'm excited to go back and see what's in store for season 2.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

We've said it before, and we'll say it again: We live in the age of too much TV. Each week, dozens of TV shows are released across streaming and broadcast, fighting for the public's attention. In 2023, 481 scripted series were released in the U.S.; although that year experienced a significant dip, that's still so many shows to get through before reality shows and international TV like K-dramas are even included. Take it from a culture writer: Even if watching TV is your literal job, many series can slip through the cracks.

2025's TV slate may have been dominated by hits like Severance, Adolescence, The White Lotus, and The Pitt, but that's just a handful of the excellent shows that have debuted this year. Many hidden gems have been released that you may have yet to hear about, from hilarious comedies and searing satires to emotional dramas about life's complications. Below, read on for recommendations of the best underrated TV shows of 2025.

The Underrated New Shows of 2025

'Adults'

2025 has been a big year for new coming-of-age shows (see Forever, Overcompensating, and, to a certain extent, I Love L.A.). The FX comedy Adults, which premiered in May, is centered on a 20-something friend group who cohabitate in a Queens home owned by one of their parents. While the plot includes send-ups of issues like career anxiety and health-insurance woes, the show’s undeniable appeal lies in its talented core cast: Malik Elassal as slacker Samir, Lucy Freyer as anxious Billie, Amita Rao as hyper-confident Issa, Owen Thiele as people-pleaser Anton, and Jack Innanen as everyone’s favorite himbo, Paul Baker. As with the best friendship shows, by the end of the first season, I was bummed that I couldn’t call up the gang to hang out some more.

WATCH ON HULU

'Clean Slate'

Best known as the last completed project of iconic sitcom writer/producer Norman Lear before his death, this heartwarming comedy is the first gone-too-soon show of the year, unceremoniously canceled just weeks after its premiere. Comedy legend George Wallace plays Harry Slate, a Mobile, Alabama, car-wash owner who's about to reunite with his estranged child after 23 years. When the father finds out that said child is now a trans woman called Desiree (Laverne Cox), Harry is more offended that she's a vegetarian. As father and daughter reconnect, and Desiree grapples with what's next after a career failure, Clean Slate is most progressive because it tells a mundane yet sweet story that doesn't focus on trauma. And in the year of our lord 2025, we need more sweetness in the world.

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'Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy'

Of the buzzy true-crime docs and dramas that dropped in October, the one I wish more people had watched was Peacock’s Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy. Whether you’re burnt out on horrifying retellings or already have expert knowledge of the notorious serial killer, this eight-episode series is well worth watching because of how it treats victims’s stories. Rather than fictionalizing real people’s histories to build up the titular character’s mythos, Devil in Disguise centers on the lives these people lived before they encountered Gacy, and the families left to grieve and seek justice. The series isn’t perfect—some death scenes lean toward gratuitous—but it’s another example of how a true crime series can transcend its genre’s flaws.

WATCH ON PEACOCK

'Dying for Sex'

Michelle Williams leads this FX on Hulu miniseries as Molly Kochan, a fictionalized version of a real-life woman who had a sexual awakening after receiving a terminal breast cancer diagnosis at age 42. The show follows Molly as she leaves her marriage and embarks on a journey of genuinely steamy hookups, with her best friend-turned-caregiver Nikki (Jenny Slate) cheering her on. Take a realistic portrayal of female friendship, sprinkle in some intro-level kink scenes, top off with intense emotions about life and death, and you have a truly can't-miss show.

WATCH ON HULU

'Heated Rivalry'

Yes, one could argue that Heated Rivalry is not a show that TV fans have missed. Even if they’ve never heard the words “hockey romance” in their lives, anyone who has an HBO Max (or TikTok or Twitter) account has come across the Canadian romance about two star athletes (played by Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie) whose years of secret hookups lead to real feelings. But if you look beyond the zealous fandom, queer representation discourse, and prudish stigma, there’s a reason that the critics’s praise is just as sky high as we’ve heard from the target audience. At its core, creator Jacob Tierney has crafted a character-driven romance that employs sex scenes as storytelling, led by two previously unknown actors who give thoroughly impressive performances. American media may be devoid of yearning, but Heated Rivalry has shown what happens when that demand is met.

WATCH ON HBO MAX

'The Lowdown'

In a time where the crime dramas that land on streaming tend to bleed together, The Lowdown deserves to stand out. Reservation Dogs creator Sterlin Harjo's new series has the feel of a dog-eared paperback, brought to life and updated to reflect the current evils plaguing our world. Ethan Hawke—operating on a Good Lord Bird level of crazed determination—plays Lee Raybon, a freelance reporter and "truthstorian" whose mission to reveal corruption in Tulsa, Oklahoma, pits him against both the town's elite (played by Jeanne Tripplehorn and Kyle MacLachlan, among others) and its white-supremacist underbelly. But perhaps more important is the strain it puts on his already shaky relationship with his 13-year-old daughter (Ryan Kiera Armstrong).

WATCH ON HULU

'Long Story Short'

Five years after Netflix's best original series ever came to an end, BoJack Horseman creator Raphael Bob-Waksberg debuted a new animated series that immediately became my comfort watch. Long Story Short tells the Schwooper siblings's (voiced by Ben Feldman, Abbi Jacobson, and Max Greenfield) life stories via time-jumps, tracing how events from childhood affect their growth into adulthood. The show gracefully balances family dramedy and zany cartoon humor, with puns that rival BoJack's best. And at its core, it breaks and mends your heart, telling universal stories of grief, career anxiety, parenthood, and even the pandemic through the lens of a slightly dysfunctional Jewish family.

WATCH ON NETFLIX

'North of North'

Netflix's first-ever Canadian original series, released on the same day as Black Mirror's latest season, is the perfect antidote to TV's current tendency towards bleakness. North of North introduces us to the fictional community of Ice Cove, Nunavut, which is based on (and filmed in) the real-life Arctic town where many of the cast and crew grew up. The cultural specificity is half the draw in this delightful small-town comedy, as 26-year-old Inuk mother Siaja (Anna Lambe) challenges norms and builds a new life for herself after leaving her narcissistic, golden-boy husband. The other half is the ensemble comedy's charming subplots, including a reunion between Siaja's long-lost dad, Alistar (Jay Ryan), and her mother, Neevee (Maika Harper).

WATCH ON NETFLIX

'Study Group'

If you're reading this, odds are you've watched Squid Game, All of Us Are Dead, or at least one Korean show on Netflix that crossed over from the K-drama world to mainstream fame in recent years. And if you consider yourself a fan of edge-of-your-seat thriller K-dramas, Study Group should be your next watch. The webtoon adaptation is like a comic book come to life, following kind-hearted student Yoon Ga-min (Hwang Min-hyun) as he battles a league of bullies to protect his new study group. Think Weak Hero Class 2, but funnier and co-ed.

WATCH ON VIKI

'Toxic Town'

Sometimes the best fictional depictions of true crime are those that put a human face on an absolute travesty, so that the institutional failures that led to it are never forgotten. The British miniseries Toxic Town accomplishes this thanks to its phenomenal cast, led by Jodie Whittaker and Aimee Lou Wood as the moms affected by the Corby toxic waste case. Nothing about this series is easy to watch, but the excellent performances and character writing make it impossible to look away.

WATCH ON NETFLIX

'When Life Gives You Tangerines'

Netflix's multi-generational drama When Life Gives You Tangerines covers 70 years of a woman's life, as Oh Ae-sun (played by IU in her youth and Moon So-ri later in life) experiences every range of human emotion, alongside her lifelong husband, Yang Gwan-sik (played by Park Bo-gum and Park Hae-joon). This epic story, told in non-chronological order and unfurling like a novel, will make you laugh out loud, cry harder than you have in months, and truly appreciate every person who has helped you through the ordeal of living.

WATCH ON NETFLIX

The Underrated Returning Shows of 2025

'Mo' season 2

A lot has happened since 2022, when comedians Mohammed Amer and Ramy Youssef co-created this grounded comedy about a Palestinian refugee living in Texas as his family's 20-year asylum case finally moves forward in court. In the long-awaited second season, only six months have passed, and Mo Najjar is still stuck in Mexico, trying to get back into the U.S. for his asylum hearing. Once Mo makes it back to Houston—which isn't a spoiler, since Mo without Houston would be like Sex and the City without N.Y.C.—the series balances a very dark story with sardonic humor and moments of joy that wouldn't work if Mo and his family weren't given the space to be their full, proudly-Palestinian selves.

WATCH ON NETFLIX

'Survival of the Thickest' season 2

If you missed Michelle Buteau's feel-good comedy the first time, it may be because the debut episodes dropped amid 2023's WGA strike (and the day before the SAG-AFTRA strike began). This year, Survival of the Thickest returned for its second season and is still an underrated gem in the subgenre of breezy sitcoms about a woman rebuilding her career and hitting the streets again after facing major heartbreak. Add in how gorgeous, Black, and queer the show is—and its much-needed discussions about size inclusivity in fashion—and we couldn't binge this uproarious, joyful story fast enough.

WATCH ON NETFLIX

Falling in love with a TV show often means developing an affinity for its characters—along with the place a series is set. A plethora of shows, such as Gilmore Girls and Pretty Little Liars, were filmed on the Warner Bros. backlot in Hollywood, making it easy to visit a ton of different locations in just one tour. Meanwhile, some shows take audiences further afield, filming scenes in unexpected places both at home and internationally. Whether you remain a Game of Thrones superfan following the release of House of the Dragon, or you're still not over Carrie Bradshaw's iconic brownstone in Manhattan, it might be time to consider planning your next vacation around your most beloved TV shows.

While The White Lotus has transported viewers to three completely different and unique destinations, cities such as Wilmington, North Carolina, provide the backdrop for some of the most iconic late '90s and early '00s teen television shows. If you're ready to experience life like the lords and ladies of Downton Abbey or you're craving an Emily in Paris-style adventure, we've compiled the only itineraries you'll need.

1. 'The White Lotus'

Every season of The White Lotus is set in a different country, taking viewers to glamorous resorts in Hawaii, Italy, and Thailand. Even though the namesake resort doesn't exist in real life, location scouts sought out the perfect destinations to film Mike White's darkly humorous series. Season 1 used Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea in Hawaii as the backdrop for The White Lotus, and season 2 took viewers to Four Seasons San Domenico Palace in Taormina, Italy.

Upping the ante once more, season 3 takes place in Thailand at the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui. While the characters of The White Lotus don't always appear to be enjoying themselves, the real life resorts are likely to provide a much more tranquil experience. Admittedly, vacationing like Parker Posey's Victoria Ratliff or Jennifer Coolidge's Tanya McQuoid won't be cheap, but it'll certainly be memorable. Let's just hope no mysterious deaths occur during your stay, à la HBO's hit series.

Where to stay:

Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui. Rates start at $1,000 per night.

Kimpton Kitalay Samui. Rates start at $250 per night.

2. 'Downton Abbey'

Julian Fellowes's historical British television drama was an instant hit with viewers around the world. Set in a fictional town in the north of England, Downton Abbey documents the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and the large staff of butlers, maids, and cooks they employ. Starting in 1912, the very same year the Titanic sank, viewers are transported to another era in which drastic class divides converge.

Luckily, viewers can visit Downton Abbey, real name Highclere Castle, which is actually located in the south of England. The palatial estate offers tours, afternoon teas, and special events. Sadly, it's not possible to stay in the iconic building itself, but two renovated lodges on the Highclere Estate are available for short stays, with budget options close by.

Where to stay:

London Lodge or Grotto Lodge at Highclere Castle. Rates start at $1,100 for two nights.

Hare and Hounds in Newbury. Rates start at $185 per night.

3. 'Sex and the City'

Throughout Sex and the City's six seasons, two movies, and the first two seasons of its spin-off, And Just Like That..., protagonist Carrie Bradshaw lived in a seriously enviable Manhattan brownstone. While critics questioned how a struggling writer could afford to live in such a luxurious zip code, fans flocked to the steps of Carrie's fictional abode, leading the home's real owner to beg tourists to stay away.

As Carrie's apartment is actually a privately owned house, it's not possible to stay in the building. However, fans can take a three-hour Sex and the City bus tour, which stops at a whole host of filming locations, including Magnolia Bakery, The Plaza Hotel, and Aidan and Steve's bar Scout. Pro tip: nab a reservation at French restaurant Pastis, where Carrie dined with her season 6 beau, Aleksandr Petrovsky.

Where to stay:

The Standard, High Line. Rates start at $600 per night.

Hilton Club The Quin New York. Rates start at $320 per night.

4. 'One Tree Hill'/'Dawson's Creek'

Wilmington in North Carolina is a popular filming location, providing the backdrop for everything from Nicholas Sparks movies to The Summer I Turned Pretty. Iconic teen TV shows Dawson's Creek and One Tree Hill were both filmed in the port city, which is so aesthetically pleasing, you'll forgive the fact Tree Hill and Capeside aren't real places.

TRIC tours focus on the nightclub and recording studio that was a central part of One Tree Hill's later seasons, and it's also possible to embark on a self-guided tour of the show's most important filming spots. The famous bridge featured in One Tree Hill's opening credits is even marked on Google Maps. Even though the show is older, it's still possible to find a ton of crucial Dawson's Creek landmarks, from Joey's Wall to the unforgettable pier in the yard of the Leery house.

Where to stay:

Hotel Ballast Wilmington, Tapestry Collection by Hilton. Rates start at $150 per night.

Hampton Inn & Suites Wilmington/Wrightsville Beach. Rates start at $140 per night.

5. 'Insecure'

Insecure is Issa Rae's love letter to Los Angeles and the misadventures of an awkward Black woman—which just so happens to be the name of her book. Throughout five seasons, Issa Dee and her best friend Molly Carter navigated the messy experiences of falling love, breaking up, building careers, sustaining friendships, and trying to find their footing.

With neighborhoods like Inglewood and Leimert Park as the backdrop, Insecure provided a roadmap to some of the city's lesser known but completely unmissable restaurants. Fans point to Mexican restaurant Damian, food store Simply Wholesome, Ethiopian restaurant Merkato, and Hilltop Coffee, which Rae co-owns, as important stops on the tour. Visiting food stops like Worldwide Tacos, Swift Cafe, The Line Hotel's Openaire restaurant, and '50s-style diner Pann's will also help you feel like you're in an episode of the HBO series.

Where to stay:

Hilton Los Angeles Culver City. Rates start at $130 per night.

The Shay Culver City. Rates start at $360 per night.

6. 'Game of Thrones'

Game of Thrones is truly an international TV series, with filming locations encompassing everywhere from an uninhabited island in the Adriatic Sea to the Basque Coast of Spain and the Glens of Antrim in Northern Ireland. Planning a trip around every one of the show's filming locations would be quite an undertaking; luckily, choosing just one destination will still result in a jaw-dropping vacation.

Banbridge in Northern Ireland is home to the official Game of Thrones Studio Tour, an exhibition housing authentic costumes, props, sets, and behind-the-scenes secrets relating to the HBO series. An impressive range of walking and coach tours are also available via Game of Thrones Tours, taking fans to some of the show's pivotal locations, from castle ruins to ancient abbeys in and around Belfast. It's also possible to visit Old Castle Ward, an 18th century mansion in Strangford, County Down, which doubled as Winterfell Castle.

Where to stay:

Belmont House Hotel. Rates start at $130 per night.

The Cuan in Strangford Lough. Rates start at $140 per night.

7. 'The Prisoner'

British television series The Prisoner starred Irish American actor Patrick McGoohan as a former intelligence officer known only as Number Six. The show, which was released in the late '60s, followed Number Six who, after quitting his job, finds himself kidnapped and imprisoned in a strange coastal village. Filmed in the quaint and idiosyncratic tourist village of Portmeirion in Gwynedd, North Wales, The Prisoner was specifically filmed in color to capture the bold hues and dramatic architecture of its location.

Whether or not you've watched The Prisoner, Portmeirion is an indelible vacation destination. The village's Central Piazza features an ornamental garden, while its colorful buildings appear to draw their inspiration from the Italian Riviera. A picturesque waterfront is accompanied by a spa, cafes, stores, and an oversized chess board, making this one of the most unusual places you're likely to ever visit.

Where to stay:

The 4-Star Hotel Portmeirion. Rates start at $280 per night.

Castell Deudraeth. Rates start at $240 per night.

8. 'Emily in Paris'

If you've already been honing your French girl beauty skills, a trip to Paris might be on the horizon. Although some of season 5 of Emily in Paris is set to take place in Rome, there's literally never a bad time to book a flight to France. One of the most important locations featured in Netflix's Lily Collins-starring show is The Place de l'Estrapade in the 5th arrondissement of Paris, which is where Emily and Gabriel live. And, yes, it's possible to stay in their building.

The square outside Emily's apartment features a gorgeous fountain, and Boulangerie Moderne, the bakery at which our titular character discovers authentic pain au chocolat. Terra Nera, an Italian restaurant in the square, transforms into Gabriel's Les Deux Compères in the series. Venturing further afield, Emily's workplace, Savoir, is located at 6 Place de Valois, another chic square featuring hotels, restaurants, and galleries. Special mention must go to Jardin du Luxembourg, the tree-lined park and gardens where Emily and Mindy spend many lunches and coffee breaks.

Where to stay:

Paris Art Hôtel Quartier Latin. Rates start at $225 per night.

Hotel Bachaumont. Rates start at $320 per night.

9. 'Big Little Lies'

Star-studded series Big Little Lies is set in Monterey, a coastal city in California. Punctuated by moody beaches and an alluring, high-class fisherman aesthetic, it's unsurprising that some viewers have flocked to the twisty drama's filming locations. For starters, fans of the series can't resist driving over Big Sur's Bixby Creek Bridge, just like the characters do in the opening credits of Big Little Lies.

From Lovers Point Park to Monterey Bay Aquarium and Fisherman's Wharf, so many of the city's landmarks provide the backdrop for the show's most important scenes. Meanwhile, stars like Nicole Kidman were apparently anamored with nearby restaurants like Passionfish, Paluca Trattoria, and Happy Girl Kitchen Co., via Town & Country. Bonus: it's actually possible to stay in the beach house where Madeline Mackenzie (Reese Witherspoon) and her family live, but it's in Malibu, not Monterey.

Where to stay:

InterContinental The Clement Monterey. Rates start from $300 per night.

Centrella Hotel, A Kirkwood Collection Hotel. Rates start from $140 per night.

10. 'Bridgerton'

Netflix's Regency era Shondaland drama has taken the world by storm. Based on the book series by Julia Quinn, Bridgerton follows members of the noble Bridgerton family as they attempt to find spouses, taking place in an alternate universe in which racial equality has been established. Filmed in some of the United Kingdom's most wonderful locations—like Osterley Park and House in London and Basildon Park in Berkshire—Bridgerton is the ideal TV series to build a vacation around.

The Bridgertons's Mayfair home is actually Ranger's House in Greenwich Park, an English Heritage property fans can visit, housing a private art collection. Meanwhile, King Henry VIII's former home, Hampton Court Palace, served as the exterior of Queen Charlotte's humble abode, while Lancaster House in Westminster provided the interior.

Where to stay:

Henrietta Hotel. Rates start from $390 per night.

The Mitre, Hampton Court. Rates start from $160 per night.

HBO's dystopian drama series The Last of Us returned for its second season on April 13, introducing a new cast of characters as Ellie and Joel (played by Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal) jump five years into the future following season 1's finale. Among the many new faces introduced—both friendly commune residents and Firefly vengeance seekers—one early standout is Dina, a magnetic survivor played by Isabela Merced.

At the start of the premiere, Dina is Ellie's best friend, a skilled fighter and treasured member of the Jackson commune, and has even won over grumpy Joel. Throughout the episode, it becomes clear that Ellie's more-than-friendly feelings toward Dina are reciprocated. As the pair slow-dance in front of the whole town (including Dina's ex-boyfriend Jesse, played by Beef's Young Mazino), they share a steamy kiss. Though only one episode has been released so far, fans of the video game on which the HBO hit is based know that Dina becomes a major character throughout the rest of the series, serving as Ellie's loving partner and guiding light as the show's plot takes a very dark turn. (Yes, seasons 2 and 3 are set to get even more devastating than season 1.)

The Last of Us may be Merced's breakout TV role, but the 23-year-old has already proven herself as one of Hollywood's most hard-working actresses. In just two months, she's set to become a full-fledged superstar with a role in one of 2025's most anticipated action movies. Read below to learn more about Isabela Merced before she becomes one of the year's biggest stars.

Isabela Merced is a Peruvian American Nickelodeon alum and former Broadway star.

Isabela Merced, born Isabela Moner, is a Peruvian American performer born in Cleveland, Ohio, in July 2001. She learned Spanish as her first language and lived with her mother's family in Huancayo, Peru for several months during her childhood, as reported by Teen Vogue. In 2008, her family's home burnt down in an electrical fire; the day after, she had her first audition for a production of The Sound of Music and landed the role.

Merced kept up with theater and, at age 10, had her Broadway debut in the revival of Evita, which starred Elena Roger and Ricky Martin. She went on to star as CJ Martin in the Nickelodeon series 100 Things to Do Before High School, and she was a lead in the 2016 scripted Legends of the Hidden Temple movie. In addition to her acting roles, she started making music and released her debut album, Stopping Time, in September 2015.

She has appeared in the 'Alien' franchise and the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

After her Nickelodeon show ended in 2016, Merced crossed into film, with supporting turns in 2017's Transformers: The Last Knight, 2018's Sicario: Day of the Soldado, and 2018's Instant Family. In 2019, she starred as Dora the Explorer in the live-action film Dora and the Lost City of Gold.

She also changed her stage name that year to Isabela Merced, in honor of her maternal grandmother, Yolanda Merced Salazar, who "sacrificed a lot for her daughters to live out the American dream she had for them." She told Refinery29 at the time, "I believe some force, throughout all these years, has been giving my mom the strength and determination to guide me; a force that has been protecting us through so many journeys, trips, and experiences. I feel as though if that guardian angel would be anyone, it would be my grandma."

Merced had her biggest year yet in 2024, starring in three popular movies. First, she played Anya Corazón, a member of the girl trio (alongside Sydney Sweeney and Celeste O'Connor) in Sony/Marvel's Madame Web. Then, she starred as Aza Holmes in the film adaptation of John Green's coming-of-age novel Turtles All the Way Down. Finally, she played Kay Harrison in the horror franchise film Alien: Romulus.

She's set to play a major role in 'Superman' this summer.

Just months after her The Last of Us debut, Merced will return to the big screen in one of the biggest superhero movies this year. The multi-hyphenate is set to play Hawkgirl, real name Kendra Saunders, in the DC universe reboot of Superman, which releases this July. She'll become the first person to play a feature-film version of the character, though Hawkgirl has appeared in TV shows.

Most of the details of Merced's character and Superman's plot are still under wraps, but trailers have shown Hawkgirl flying through the city, in what is assumed to be a battle scene. Merced dropped a hint about her role in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. "Every scene I'm flying, pretty much," she told the outlet. "But it's cool because I'm an adrenaline seeker. I like being dropped from really high heights. It's actually one of my favorite things."

In addition to possibly continuing playing Hawkgirl across the DC Studios slate, depending on the success of Superman, Merced also has hopes of returning to Broadway. "Not a revival. I want to do an original [show]", she says. "And then on top of that, I want to do a stoner comedy with two female leads. I love stoner comedies. However, I just don't see a lot of women leading them. And I love weed. I would be great for this. And I literally love Broad City. To me, that's a stoner show."

She says she's "looking forward" to any backlash towards Dina and Ellie's romance.

In recent years, Merced has spoken openly about several aspects of her identity and health journey, including living with PCOS and anxiety. She has also opened up about her sexuality since landing the role of Dina. In a New York Times article about Ellie and Dina's LGBTQ+ romance, Merced matter-of-factly stated, "I’ve been queer my whole life, so I never really thought about it." She also told Entertainment Weekly, "I mean, it's kind of my truth, so I don't see it as a thing even."

She continued, "The game was made so long ago. Gays have existed since the beginning of time, they were always there. I don't really see what the problem is. I don't see what we're trying to say or complain about. Not only that, it's just a beautiful story. If anything isn't successful, I promise you it’s because of the quality of the work, not because of themes. Any theme can be done properly if it's done by a good artist and executed with care and consideration. I guess everything in this story ends with tragedy. However, in my opinion, this is a successful sapphic story. It's beautiful and we win in the end. There's a lot of winning for this sapphic couple. I'm just really, really excited for people to see that."

She also told Entertainment Weekly that she's prepared to face whatever prejudiced criticism the show gets in response to the storyline. "I'm kind of looking forward to the backlash,” she added. “I don't know how to describe it. I'm not scared because the gays have existed since the beginning of time. The thing is, if you have the gays, you have the world as well. If you have their support, you are fine.

Max's medical drama The Pitt has been the surprise word-of-mouth hit of 2025 television, largely thanks to its excellent ensemble. The series follows a group of Pittsburgh ER doctors throughout a 15-hour day in real time, with each episode of the first season covering an hour of their shift. The crew of medical workers range from senior doctors and nurses to newbies still in medical school, going through the most stressful first day of work ever.

One of these standout junior doctors is Melissa "Mel" King, a second-year emergency-medicine resident played by Taylor Dearden. Throughout The Pitt's first season, the caring and cheerful doctor has become one of the series' fan-favorite characters and has been lauded as an important portrayal of neurodivergence on television. In real life, Dearden is a rising star who shares many similarities with her character. Below, read on to learn more about The Pitt star Taylor Dearden, including her hopes for Mel in The Pitt season 2.

Taylor Dearden is the daughter of acclaimed actor Bryan Cranston.

Taylor Dearden Cranston, 32, is an L.A. native and third-generation actor. She was born in February 1993 to actors Bryan Cranston and Robin Gale Dearden. She made her television debut appearance in a season 3 episode of her father's iconic crime series Breaking Bad and went on to star in short films and a web series before graduating from the University of Southern California with a theater degree.

Before The Pitt, Taylor primarily starred in cult-hit TV series, including the MTV buddy dramedy Sweet/Vicious and the Netflix mockumentary American Vandal. She also had a small role in the Apple TV+ drama For All Mankind.

Her real-life experience with ADHD helped inform her character Mel.

From the first episodes of The Pitt, fans recognized that Mel King exhibited characteristics common to neurodivergence herself, in addition to being a caretaker for her twin sister, who's on the autism spectrum. Though it hasn't been confirmed in the show, Dearden has been vocal in interviews about how she pushed for Mel to have ADHD on the show, a condition that the actress shares in real life.

"I’m neurodivergent, so I think it’s really coming from me,” Dearden said when asked about Mel's neurodivergent coding in a Decider interview. “I have severe ADHD. So we’re on the same spectrum now as autism, which was I think for all ADHD people was like, ‘Ohhhhh.’ And then all autistic people are like, ‘That’s why we got along with them.’ I’ve never really seen a character, especially with ADHD, but being on the same spectrum, it just feels, it felt right anyway.”

While speaking with Collider, Dearden explained that Mel's unspecified neurodiversity became "a bit of a superpower" during season 1's mass shooting arc, where the resident managed to stay extremely calm under pressure.

"I'm on the same ADHD/autism spectrum, and something that we're really good at is emergencies," she said of herself and her character. "Apparently, we are overly represented in every emergency department, which is fine because Langdon actually has that line of, 'Well, we all have ADHD. What else would we be doing?' There's a thing that clicks in us with an emergency—I don't know how to describe it except as a superpower—and we're able to just see every individual problem without getting overwhelmed. We're the ones who run towards the fire, often. That's another one: fire departments are heavily ADHD."

She thinks her character Mel as asexual (and therefore maybe won't end up with Langdon).

Sorry to Pittheads who've been shipping Mel with Dr. Langdon (played by Patrick Ball), but Dearden doesn't think romance is in the cards for the mentor and mentee. In fact, in an interview with USA Today, the actress hinted that Mel isn't likely to have a workplace romance arc.

"I think Mel is asexual. I don’t think that’s part of how Mel would think—especially at work. She’s a hyper professional," she told the outlet. When asked about the fan response to Mel and Langdon's friendship, she added, "I didn’t know people were thinking that. That’s really funny. The funny thing is Patrick [Ball] is always like, ‘God, you remind me of my sister.'"

Dearden also recalled her and Ball's initial reaction to the shipping in an interview with Vulture.

"That was never a thought in my mind, playing Mel. I don’t think she has time for romance or ever has had time. I don’t think that’s really in her brain at all," she said. "When someone said that, I burst out laughing, and I texted Patrick, like, 'Wait, why are they shipping us?' He’s like, 'I have no idea.' He made a really good point. He goes, 'Yes, but isn’t it fortunate that we get to show a really close friendship between a man and a woman and not be sexualized?' I went, 'Yes, you’re right.' I think having Mel around really softens him and makes him listen more and slow down. And I think Mel gets so much of a confidence boost from Langdon because he’ll take the time to say, 'Hey, look at me: That was great.' That’s all Mel’s ever wanted."

She has one big wish for Mel in 'The Pitt' season 2.

With season 2 of The Pitt set to start filming just weeks after the season 1 finale, Dearden has shared her hopes for Mel's storyline in the upcoming episodes. In an interview with Vanity Fair, the actress revealed that she wants Mel to have an ally who truly understands her thinking.

"I would love to see some friendship, to have something more on the peer level, or someone who genuinely tries to understand Mel’s neurodivergence," she said. "With me, it’s so helpful to have either a partner or friends who know what your neurodivergence is so that, when I will inevitably put my foot in my mouth, they’ll be able to come in and go, 'She means this.' To not have any ally like that at work with such an intense job would be really tough—to just constantly be misunderstood, without anyone trying to understand. I’d love to see someone get it and latch on."

Just halfway through the first episode of The Pitt, most fans had already made an easy diagnosis: Dr. Trinity Santos—an intern, recently tossed into the fast-paced trauma conveyor-belt that is the Pittsburgh Medical Center—was, in fact, the most unlikable character on TV. Over the course of 15 hours, that theory would be tested. Potential mass shooters, anti-vaxxers, incels, belligerent patients, and a psychiatric hold known simply as The Kraken, would pass through the emergency department doors. Residents would get screamed at, nurses physically assaulted, med students pissed on, and still, Trinity Santos (Isa Briones) would wind up on the top of our collective hit list.

She’s what’s known in medical circles as a “gunner.” Overly ambitious, unnecessarily competitive, ungovernable, and conceited. Santos was the antithesis of the show’s more timid, saccharine med students. They were overwhelmed, emotional, and constantly seeking approval. She was desperate to insert a chest tube. They were fainting at the sight of blood, getting sprayed by bodily fluids, and self-soothing to a lava lamp app. She was bullying people with insulting, uninspired nicknames and threading balloons into bleeding aortas. They gave out teddy bears. She gave a flirty surgical resident an open wound courtesy of an ill-timed scalpel pass.

In other words, if TV has some kind of unlikability lab, that’s where Trinity Santos was cooked up.

It didn’t help that she was also the de-facto nemesis of the show’s resident bad boy, a blue-eyed, chiseled-jaw in black scrubs with a maverick streak who was impossible not to love. Patrick Ball’s Frank Langdon is the kind of thirst trap that can only be treated with a steady saline drip and a mandatory psych hold, and yet, Santos spent the better part of the season bickering with him over cases, questioning his authority, and investigating his misuse of patient meds. Her dogged crusade to expose his drug addiction might have been the right call, ethically speaking, but it certainly didn’t endear her to audiences already frustrated by her arrogance and lack of self-awareness. And it would’ve been easy, understandable even, for a show as ambitious as The Pitt—where each episode spans just one hour in the hellish bowels of a trauma one center—to keep a character like Santos two-dimensional. She’s the sarcastic shit stirrer meant to make us appreciate the Mel Kings and Victoria Javadis and Dennis Whitakers of the world. She’s more interested in cracking open a man’s sternum like a pistachio to see how things work than being a do-gooder healing the sick. These two things are not the same, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a place for the Trinity Santoses of the world in medicine…and on TV.

The Pitt’s sixth episode is when the show began to make the case for Santos as a character worthy of, if not redemption, at least respect. When the wife of a patient reveals her suspicions that her husband’s been molesting their pre-teen daughter, Santos takes it upon herself to advocate for the girl despite pushback from her advising attendings. She’s bumbling and awkward with the kid and out of her depth with the man’s wife—a woman so desperate she’s begun microdosing her husband’s coffee with progesterone to curb his libido—but she refuses to accept that simply treating his wounds is the only difference she can make in an impossible situation. While he’s prone and practically paralyzed on a gurney, Santos delivers a devastating monologue, hinting at her own past experiences with predators in positions of power before quietly threatening the man should he ever hurt his daughter again. It’s a powerful turning point for her and for us—the first time cracks begin to form in her armor of sarcasm and snark to show the kind of vulnerability and compassion that lurk underneath.

And just as The Pitt constantly forced its characters to confront their own preconceived biases when treating patients, we were asked to confront why a character like Trinity Santos so easily got under our skin. After all, she was molded from the same cowboy doctor archetype as Ball’s Langdon, the pair so similar they couldn’t help but clash, two like-charged particles repelling each other in explosive fashion. What was amusing, endearing, and impressive about Langdon—his cocksure attitude, his thwarting of the rules, and his nonconformist approach to practicing medicine—was off-putting, irresponsible, and dangerous in Santos. Assertiveness, decisiveness, independence—these are traits we inadvertently think of as masculine, so when Langdon expressed them, they felt familiar and comfortable. But when Santos co-opted them, we called her difficult, unfeeling, and an asshole.

And she couldn’t win by playing the empathy card either. While the softness and sensitivity of someone like Dr. King (Taylor Dearden) was praised by her fellow doctors and viewers as refreshing and progressive, when Santos tried to exhibit the same—in her own, admittedly clumsy way—she was accused by her superiors of overstepping and possessing a bad bedside manner. Her sincere attempt to bond with Whitaker (Gerran Howell) and Javadi (Shabana Azeez) fell flat because they didn’t come with full-fledged apologies and self-censure. (As if anyone has time amidst all the antiseptic and adrenaline to say sorry for things that happened hours earlier.)

Even now, after her kickass heroics performed during a mass casualty event and her heartwarming campaign to prove to a suicidal college kid that his life was worth living, for some, that won’t be enough. The show’s season finale dug up nuggets of Santos’s childhood trauma, tying her experiences back to patient interactions that happened in earlier episodes in an attempt to answer our “why.”

Why was she so resistant to male authority? Why did she react so strongly to claims of child sex abuse? Because she had been preyed on before.

Why was she so harsh when confronting teenagers overdosing on fentanyl? Why couldn’t she ignore Langdon’s addiction problem? Why did she fight to treat a patient’s mental illness with the same attention and care afforded to his physical trauma? Because she lost someone in a horrific way and is constantly trying to prevent the same outcome in the people she treats.

She’s not pleasant or personable even when she’s extending an olive branch to Whitaker. After discovering he’s broke and living in the hospital, she’s still hurling harsh nicknames and psychologically torturing him for giggles. She’s not likable, but she’s not unlikable either. She’s flawed and nuanced, a female character so complex she can polarize audiences and inspire entire think pieces about her many, many layers. (This one included.)

She’s interesting, unpredictable even, and she’s someone who, despite her shortcomings, feels worth rooting for. She’s not the worst character on this show, but she might just be the most watchable.

One of the year’s biggest surprise hits is HBO Max’s The Pitt, a return to the episodic, longer seasons that accompanied network television before the streaming takeover. The medical drama follows a group of ER physicians and nurses in real time, with each episode following one hour of their 15-hour shift as they navigate difficult cases and the psychological toll of being surrounded by death. At the center of the story is Dr. Michael "Robby" Robinavitch, played by ER’s Noah Wyle, the attending on duty who has to manage the overflow of patients, provide his medical expertise on demand, and police his staff’s sometimes-hostile interpersonal relationships.

The first season of the must-watch series, which comes from two of the writers of ER, climaxed with a mass shooting at a fictional music festival that pushed the medical professionals to their physical and emotional limits. But it won’t be the last we see of the doctors at the fictional Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center; HBO Max quickly greenlit a second season that will begin filming this summer and will jump forward in time when it returns in 2026. Below, find out everything we know so far about The Pitt season 2.

How does 'The Pitt' season 1 end?

One thing is for sure: The Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Hospital employees deserve a break after the stressful events of their 15-hour shift that makes up the first season of The Pitt. Leading up to the finale, Dr. Robby’s ER and trauma center is overrun by victims of a mass shooter at PittFest, and things get personal when Dr. Robby’s adoptive son Jake (Taj Speights) arrives with his girlfriend Leah (Sloan Mannino), whom Dr. Robby is unable to save. In his grief, Jake blames Dr. Robby for her death, triggering the attending’s PTSD related to the death of his mentor during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Things don’t necessarily get better in the finale. Jake’s grief leads him to say hurtful things to Dr. Robby, who also has to deliver the awful news to Leah’s parents. Their loud sobs send our main character into another tailspin. He seeks refuge on the roof, and Dr. Abbott (Shawn Hatosy) finds Dr. Robby in a similar position to himself at the start of Dr. Robby’s shift—a mirror image of the two doctors' first scene together in the show’s pilot. They talk about their trauma and high expectations of themselves, and Dr. Abbott offers Dr. Robby his therapist’s number. Here’s to hoping he takes it.

With the shooting victims mostly taken care of (and almost all of them saved by the medical attention they received), the most prominent case left during the shift is the teenager with measles whose parents are refusing to consent to a spinal tap, which would help guide his treatment. The father finally gives the doctors the green light, though it becomes clear that this was a one-sided decision; the mother barges in right as Dr. King (Taylor Dearden) finishes the procedure, livid that they’d do this without her go-ahead. The series implies that this treatment will likely save his life, but a potential measles outbreak could be a plot point in the next season.

David (Jackson Kelly), the teen who allegedly wrote a hit list, also remains in the hospital under a 72-hour observation after Dr. McKay (Fiona Dourif) reported him to the police as the potential PittFest shooter. Though he’s angry at the world, Dr. McKay’s impassioned speech about violence against women seems to impact him—especially when she asks him to consider how it would feel if his mother was one of the victims. Dr. McKay also evades arrest related to her ankle monitor tampering when her coworkers convince the police to allow her to deal with it in the morning.

There are still a few threads left intentionally vague for the next season: Dr. Langdon’s (Patrick Ball) future at the hospital is in jeopardy after Dr. Santos (Isa Briones) reported his drug pilfering. When he repeatedly begs for his job, Dr. Robby counters with an extensive outpatient drug addiction program, and it’s unclear if Langdon is desperate enough to agree to those terms. Nurse Dana Evans (Katherine LaNasa) also hasn’t committed to quitting her job after being on the receiving end of a disgruntled patient’s fist, but she does remove the personal photos from her station, implying that she’s taking the option seriously. And if it’s her last shift in the ER, at least it ends on some good news from the police: Doug Driscoll (Drew Powell), the guy who punched her, has been arrested.

As the first season wraps up, the toll of the 15-hour shift is hitting everyone, not just Dr. Robby. Dr. Mohan (Supriya Ganesh) feels loopy during an adrenaline rush before breaking down in the bathroom as she processes her day; Dr. Santos displays some uncharacteristic bedside manner when helping a patient she suspects of a suicide attempt, and then extends this generosity to Whitaker (Gerran Howell) with an offer to be roommates when she finds out he’s been sleeping at the hospital because he doesn’t have an apartment; Javadi (Shabana Azeez) joins a group of coworkers—including Nurse Diaz (Jalen Thomas Brooks), on whom she has a crush—in the park for drinks to debrief on the day. Dr. Robby and Dr. Abbott arrive for a beer, and the latter is revealed to have an amputated leg, presumably from his days in the army.

After laughing about what a crazy first day on the job this was for Javadi, Dr. Robby peels off from the group early. “Tomorrow is another day,” he says, before finally heading home from the day from hell.

When will 'The Pitt' season 2 come out?

Are you ready to clock in for another shift? In mid-December, HBO Max announced on social media that The Pitt season 2 will premiere on Thursday, January 8. The streamer shared the news with a brief clip of footage of all your favorite doctors back at work.

Fans have known for quite some time that The Pitt would be back sooner than many other TV series in the streaming age. In an April 2025 interview with Vulture, HBO chief Casey Bloys revealed that new episodes of The Pitt would stream in January. The show began pre-production on its forthcoming episodes in spring 2025, and in mid-June, HBO Max announced via a press release that filming had begun, and shared behind-the-scenes photos from set to coincide with the news.

The Pitt is returning much quicker than some other streaming series these days. According to Bloys, the short break between seasons is by design. "This model of more episodes cuts down on the gap between seasons," he told Vulture. "On the platform, we have shows like House of the Dragon, The Last of Us, and White Lotus, which, because of how they’re made, can take two years to make. What I love about something like The Pitt is I can get 15 episodes in a year."

Who in the 'The Pitt' cast will return for season 2?

The Pitt season 1 featured an ensemble cast including Noah Wyle as the central Dr. Robby, Tracy Ifeachor as his former flame Dr. Heather Collins, Patrick Ball as the alleged drug addict Dr. Frank Langdon, Supriya Ganesh as the meticulous Dr. Samira Mohan, Fiona Dourif as the ankle-monitored Dr. Cassie McKay, Taylor Dearden as the compassionate Dr. Melissa King, Isa Briones as the abrasive Dr. Trinity Santos, Gerran Howell as the body fluid magnet med student Dr. Dennis Whitaker, Shabana Azeez as Dr. Victoria Javadi, the med student with everything to prove, and Katherine LaNasa as Dr. Robby’s right hand woman Nurse Dana Evans.

Season 2 will feature the same faces; however, one name is confirmed not to be returning. In July, Variety reported that Tracy Ifeachor is exiting the show. The outlet revealed "that the decision was made by the show's creative team," rather than being her choice.

The actress shared a statement on Instagram about her departure, saying it was "a blessing to be a part of this first and foundational season of #ThePitt." In the caption of a Reel featuring photos and red carpet videos from The Pitt events, she wrote, "It was an absolute privilege to play Dr. Heather Collins in such a groundbreaking season and piece. Thank you to everyone who has watched & supported Season 1 & shared their stories with me."

It's unclear why Ifeachor was let go from the series, but fans on Reddit have pointed out she's among the cast of M. Night Shyamalan's new thriller and have alleged her involvement in an extremist Christian faith.

HBO Max has yet to announce whether her character will be recast or if she will be written out of season 2, due to the time jump that's confirmed to take place.

As for the rest of the ensemble, all the familiar faces fans know and love should be back, even with the time jump. Series creator R. Scott Gemmill told TVLine that though the new episodes will be set a little bit in the future, Langdon will be a large focus and it'll help aid Nurse Evans's return to the E.R. "If next season were to take place the next day or the next week, you wouldn’t see Dana," he told the outlet. "When she comes back, she’s going to have a bit of an attitude adjustment, though. She’ll be even less tolerant of bullshit. She’s going to be much more protective of her flock."

He also explained that "there's always new people coming in and out of the hospital." This makes sense, considering season 1 focused on the day shift employees and season 2 may highlight even more of the night staff (including Shawn Hatosy as Dr. Robby’s counterpart Dr. Jack Abbott, Ken Kirby as senior attending Dr. John Shen, and Ayesha Harris as Dr. Parker Ellis, a night shift resident whom we saw at the tail-end of season 1).

Are there any new cast members in 'The Pitt' season 2?

Yes! Get ready to meet more staffers! In mid-June, Deadline reported that four names are set to join the cast in recurring roles. According to the outlet, the new stars will play a mix of patients, students, and recent graduates.

As reported by Deadline, Breaking Bad alum Charles Baker will play Troy, "an unhoused man forgotten by most, and a patient in the ED;" Insatiable star Irene Choi will portray Joy, "Joy, a third-year medical student with strong boundaries and a vast knowledge of medicine that leans toward the macabre:" up-and-comer Laëtitia Hollard is taking on nursing school grad Emma, "who some may consider naive;" and stage actor Lucas Iverson joins as James "a fourth-year medical student."

A few other names were added to the cast later in the summer. Sepideh Moafi is joining as a series regular and "playing an attending physician in emergency medicine," according to Deadline. Rising actor Lawrence Robinson is also now a part of the ensemble. He'll play a patient, but what's more exciting is he's said to be a romantic interest(!) of someone on staff. His character description is "a sweet, charming, and kind-hearted patient who turns a soccer injury into a possible meet-cute with one of the doctors." The word is out on who that might be, but our hearts are already fluttering.

Plus, ahead of Emmys weekend (where The Pitt was nominated for 13 awards), an additional guest star was announced. Cuban-American actor Victor Rivas Rivers (known for films like The Mask of Zorro and Blood In, Blood Out) will guest as the hospital's big boss: PTMC's Chief Executive Officer, Trent Norris. Sounds like bureaucracy tension might be on the horizon.

Beyond Lawrence Robinson's patient/love interest character, we also got an idea of a few more people checking into the hospital in December. Deadline reported four more recurring guest stars: Brittany Allen (The Boys, What Keeps You Alive), Bonita Friedericy (Chuck), Taylor Handley (Mayor of Kingstown), and Jeff Kober (The Walking Dead, Sons of Anarchy).

According to Deadline, Allen plays "Roxie Hamler, an Emergency Department patient," while Handley portrays her husband, Paul Hamler. As for Friedericy, she'll play "Cora Wilkins, a woman visiting a patient in the Emergency Department," and Kober joins as "Duke, a motorcycle engineer who goes way back with one of the doctors." (Are we sensing a former flame of somebody?)

Other stars with recurring roles include Meta Golding (Rabbit Hole, Empire) as nurse Noelle Hastings, Luke Tennie (Shrinking), as Dr. Crus Henderson, who is a "PTMC Night shift 4th year resident," Christopher Thornton (Magnum: PI, The Lincoln Lawyer) as Dr. Caleb Jefferson, "a PTMC Psychiatric Attending," and Travis Van Winkle (FUBAR) plays Curtis Larson, "an agressive patient of the ER," per Deadline.

What will 'The Pitt' season 2 be about?

The second installment of the medical drama will follow a similar format, shadowing the ER doctors across another brisk 15-hour shift. This time, producers confirmed to Deadline that the shift will fall on the busy July 4th weekend, 10 months after the events of the season 1 finale. And if there’s one thing the plethora of medical shows has taught us, it’s that holiday weekends are eventful, to say the least. Wyle said it best on the red carpet for the Emmys while speaking to ET: "Americans have a lot of creative ways to hurt themselves, and we're gonna try to exploit all of them on America's 250th birthday."

Wyle, as well as executive producers John Wells and R. Scott Gemmill, have also opened up about what specific issues season 2 will tackle. They shared in an interview with Variety that the show's creative team contacted real healthcare professionals to hear their predictions of how President Donald Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill," which cut funding for Medicaid by 12%, might affect their work. Those "immediate consequences" will be depicted in the forthcoming episodes, as well as "concerns" about how undocumented immigrants and their families have been treated amid the ongoing ICE raids.

“We take our platform very seriously," Gemmill said. "I think one of the things when you can reach 10 million people—and this was true back in the day on ER as well—is with that amount of people listening, you have to be responsible for what you put out there."

In general, Wells added that they're always considering writing about marginalized groups, and teased one upcoming storyline. He said, "We’re doing a big story right now on the difficulties the deaf community has in arriving at an emergency room and being unable to communicate and not being able to be understood for their specific problems...We’re always on the lookout for those kinds of stories that are going to resonate."

On a more specific character level, Melangdon fans will have something to talk about. Taylor Deardan and Patrick Ball opened up about what's next for Mel and Langdon's highly anticipated season 2 reunion at the Emmys. Dearden teased what's to come while speaking to Variety on the red carpet, saying, "For Mel, he’s someone that she meets on her first shift, and she finds she really relates to him...She’s only known Langdon for one day, but he makes such a massive impact on her, and then he’s gone. In season 2, he’s back after 10 months, and she has no idea where he’s been or why he was gone for so long."

Ball emphasized that Mel "still has no idea what happened to him" and added how their dynamic will shift. "In season 1, Mel needs Langdon to get through her shift, but Langdon might need her more than he thinks he does in season 2.”

In addition to those two, we can expect to get more insight into other characters, including Samira Mohan. Actress Supriya Ganesh also opened up about what's to come at the Emmys, saying, "We learn a lot more about her, and I’m excited for people to see that."

She added, "Everyone’s been itching to learn a little bit more about this character, and I think the show is going to deliver that."

We certainly have high expectations!

Is there a trailer for 'The Pitt' season 2?

Our favorite doctors are clocking back in! HBO Max dropped the full-length trailer for The Pitt season 2 in mid-December. Accompanied by the anxiety-inducing sound of a ticking clock, it shows the doctors as they anticipate a busy July 4th weekend, what with all the firework and BBQ disasters that will inevitably ensue...and the start of the chaos.

We also get a tease of the more personal drama, as the trailer introduces Sepideh Moafi's character Dr. Baran Al-Hashimi, who is supposed to replace Dr. Robby amid his sabbatical. His colleagues seem to think he needs the rest—with Nurse Dana Evans saying, "he’s trying to outrun some old ghosts," and Dr. Abbot asking if he can "handle" staying away—but we'll have to wait and see whether he actually steps back. If he does, Dr. Baran Al-Hashimi is already clear that she wants to implement some changes at the hospital—including helping Dr. Robby "get some basic empathy back."

Plus, we see the return of Dr. Langdon, who Mel is thrilled to see, but everyone else seems hesitant of reuniting with. There's also a computer system shutdown, setting up even more challenges, as if the staffers didn't already have enough on their plate.

If you need even more previews of The Pitt. There is also a teaser available. The teaser begins with a nurse (standing next to Dana) saying, "The prodigal son returns," as Dr. Robby walks into the hospital. It's back to work as usual, with shots of doctors putting on their scrubs, conducting surgeries, and caring for patients, young and old. "You guys do this every day?" a med student asks, while Santos replies, "If we're lucky."

We're lucky to be graced by new episodes soon!

In April 2025, TV viewers waved goodbye to The White Lotus's Thailand-vacationing ensemble, as the season 3 finale ended with shocking choices and heartbreaking deaths. After weeks of theories, memes, and character style analysis, we bid adieu to Koh Samui, Thailand, from our new favorite trio of lifelong frenemies to the Ratliffs's spiritual awakenings to the coda to Belinda, Greg, and Tanya's multi-season arc.

Of course, as with real-life vacations, fans are already dreaming of the next getaway. The White Lotus was renewed for its fourth season in January 2025 (before season 3 even aired), so it's time to gather the clues of what's next for the Emmy-winning hit. Below, read on for everything we know about The White Lotus season 4 so far.

When will 'The White Lotus' season 4 be released?

HBO hasn't revealed a release date for season 4, but we have received a few updates. In January 2026, Variety reported that filming is set to begin in late April and last until October. Should the series meet that production timeline, season 4 may premiere in early 2027.

Where will 'The White Lotus' season 4 be set?

The White Lotus season 4 is headed to France. According to a Deadline report in September 2025, HBO and creator Mike White have "zeroed in" on France as the location for the next installment. One month later, Variety reported the specific locales where the show would be shot: the French Riviera and Paris.

We also know exactly which hotel will transform into the fictional White Lotus. For scenes shot in the French Riviera, the luxury stay Airelles Château de La Messardière in Saint-Tropez, located on the Mediterranean coastline, will host the new cast of characters. Past seasons have utilized various Four Seasons locations, but this five-star hotel is part of the Airelles Collection. It pulls out all the stops for its guests, too: Suites range from $3,000 to over $8,000, and guests can enjoy an on-site spa, beach access via a Rolls-Royce, no less, various restaurants, and more.

Hôtel Martinez, a Hyatt hotel, will be flipped into the White Lotus Cannes. The establishment, which opened in 1929, is located right on the Côte d’Azur and touts an infinity pool, luxury spa, and Michelin-starred restaurants.

It's yet to be confirmed where, but season 4 will also shoot some scenes in Monaco and Paris. The exact lodging has yet to be confirmed, but Variety reports that HBO is considering several options in the City of Lights: the five-star hotel Le Lutetia, located along the Seine in Saint-Germain des Prés, and the five-star Ritz Paris in the 1st arrondissement. Both hotels have rich histories and were artist denizens in the early 20th century.

It's been known that a European vacation was the plan for the HBO mainstay's fourth season for some time. At the time of season 3's release in February, White and HBO exec Francesca Orsi said Europe was a "likely" setting for future episodes.

Orsi said, "I can’t really say where we’re going to land, but chances are somewhere in Europe.”

France inevitably fell into place while the team was scouting locations and had a cliched experience at a restaurant in Cannes. As shooting began in April, executive producer David Bernad told Deadline that "a really specific experience with a waiter and the maître d" inspired their decision. "It was a very funny moment, and that totally unlocked what the show is. We literally cancelled everywhere else we were planning to go," he said.

What will 'The White Lotus' season 4 be about?

As always, the upcoming installment will follow the guests and staff at a White Lotus hotel over one week. While HBO and Mike White typically keep details tightly under wraps, we do know a bit more about season 4 than usual. As filming began in mid-April, Deadline confirmed that the new episodes will take place during the Cannes Film Festival. According to the outlet, HBO confirmed that although scenes will be shot in Paris and Monaco, most of the season will be in the French Riviera, and that Cannes is a main focus of the plot.

Variety revealed even more details, stating in an early May feature that it'll be about "two rival film teams...with movies in competition and something to prove." According to the outlet, one of the teams "camps out at a flashy, palatial hotel on the Croisette, while the other is ensconced in a luxurious hilltop hideaway." And, of course, that will make the lives of the staff at those hotels very difficult.

We also know what to expect in a more meta-sense. While White Lotus always explores privilege and power dynamics, White tends to center installments on a certain theme, and this time around, it's "the life of an artist." Executive producer David Bernad teased what the show's exploring while speaking to Deadline, saying, it's about "the loneliness and the pain" that comes with being an artist and living in the spotlight.

He said, "As we located the show at the Cannes Film festival, this idea of fame popped up, and who has the world’s attention? Who can grab it, and who is the plus one in a relationship? What are the things that satisfy us? Is it the love of an intimate partner, the love of strangers, what do we prioritize in people?"

"It really examines the things we value as people and what is attractive to us, and how fame can be corrosive and dictate your choices in life,” the EP added. “Some of the characters are existentially reflecting on those choices, some are reflecting on the choices and sacrifices they made as artists, and some are just starting to enter into this world of fame. Mike does a brilliant job of capturing how relationships can be corroded.”

Is 'The White Lotus' season 4 filming at Cannes Film Festival?

If you're hoping to scour all the Cannes paparazzi shots and news coming out of the festival for a hint of White Lotus tea, don't expect to see too much. While Variety confirmed that the cast and crew will walk the carpet in a special appearance at some point, it also reported that filming at the event will actually take place once it wraps. Almost as soon as the festival concludes, The White Lotus will "re-create" it for the show by reusing the red carpet and buildings known as the Palais des Festivals before it's all closed down. To capture the busyness of the festival, hoards of locals were hired as extras.

However, while the festival is happening, the series is still in production nearby. According to Variety, the de facto White Lotus Hotel, Château de la Messardière, is currently closed to the public and sealed off entirely to keep "a low profile."

Who is in the cast of 'The White Lotus' season 4?

Bonjour to the stars of The White Lotus season 4! The A-listers and up-and-comers filling out the ensemble have been teased since late 2025—and this might be the biggest season yet, both given the huge names and the international scale.

In late December 2025, Deadline reported the initial guests set to check in for the new season. According to the outlet, AJ Michalka, a former Disney Channel star and one-half of indie rock sister duo Aly and AJ, and Alexander Ludwig of Vikings fame are among the leads.

Details on their characters are being kept under wraps, but it’s safe to say the news sent social media into a tizzy. The White Lotus will mark Michalka’s first major, dramatic leading role in years. As for Ludwig, the internet has already dug up his thirst traps and is ready for the Canadian actor’s star-making moment. Plus, it’s perhaps worth noting that Ludwig is a musician himself. Could the two be playing a vacationing (potentially insufferable) celebrity musical duo? We'd like to see it!

In early 2026, other names continued trickling in. According to The Hollywood Reporter, British comedian Steve Coogan and rising Australian actor Caleb Jonte Edwards also landed roles. Coogan has been a well-known comedic actor since the early '90s, but is perhaps best known for movies like The Trip series and 24 Hour Party People, as well as the Oscar-nominated Philomena, for which he also co-wrote the screenplay. Edwards, meanwhile, is relatively unknown, except for roles in a short film and an episode of the Australian crime drama Black Snow. It's safe to say he's about to have his big break.

Soon after, several other Hollywood favorites were announced. Variety reported that arguably the best of the Hollywood Chrises, Chris Messina (who's known for The Mindy Project, Sharp Objects, and other TV and movie hits), was confirmed. Along with him, the outlet also revealed model Marissa Long will make her TV debut in season 4.

While the details are scarce, in mid-March it was announced that the Oscar- and Emmy-nominated Kumail Nanjiani (Welcome to Chippendales, Only Murders in the Building) and New Girl alum Max Greenfield have major roles, or, as Deadline describes, in "two of the meatiest recurring parts." (Could one of them be murdered and featured in flashbacks? That sure would be "meaty!")

The comedic actors/eye candy were announced alongside Chloe Bennet (Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Interior Chinatown), comedian Charlie Hall (The Sex Lives of College Girls), and writer/director/actor Jarrad Paul. Interestingly, we know a little about their characters: Greenfield plays Mitchell, Bennet plays Brynn, and Hall plays Zach.

We hope you haven't been holding your breath because even more intriguing names are joining season 4. To the thrill of cinephiles everywhere, in late March, HBO revealed several '90s film divas are joining the cast on Instagram: Heather Graham and Rosie Perez are among the stars. Alongside the Boogie Nights beloved and indie darling, Ben Schnetzer (Y: The Last Man, 3 Body Problem), Swedish actress/model Frida Gustavsson (Vikings: Valhalla), Norwegian actor Tobias Santelmann (The Last Kingdom, Exit), and French actress Laura Smet (The Guardians, Fauda) were also announced.

Additional names in the ensemble include comedy icon Sandra Bernhard, Ari Graynor, and Dylan Ennis. Bernhard should bring some comedic relief; the icon is known for her stand-up and roles in sitcoms like Rosanne, as well as recent credits in Severance, Pose, and Marty Supreme. Her White Lotus part is being kept under wraps, but Deadline reported some potential intel on Graynor and Ennis's characters. Graynor—known for Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist and her recent acclaimed, breakout role as Leslie Abramson in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story—is likely being paired with Messina. Ennis, meanwhile, is a relative newcomer, and given the London-based actor's French/Jamaican heritage, Deadline suspects he's playing a local.

A few French stars have also joined the roster, leading to reports that they'll either play White Lotus employees or locals. Vincent Cassel—a fixture of French and international cinema who's known for roles in Westworld and movies like La Haine and the Ocean's series—and rising French actors Corentin Fila (Being 17, Mortel), and Nadia Tereszkiewicz (Forever Young) were cast in early March. And, as stated, Laura Smet is also in the ensemble. We know, for one, that Cassel scored the role of "the hotel manager," so we can't wait to see how he caters to (or refuses to put up with) the guests.

Shortly after production began, a couple of Brits and a Swede were thrown into the mix. Oscar-winner Ben Kingsley, The Handmaid's Tale alum Max Minghella—returning to HBO after his stint on Industry—and Swedish-speaking Finnish actor Pekka Strang (Tom of Finland) will also make appearances.

While much of the casting news has sent the internet ablaze, perhaps the most interesting reveal came as soon as production began. As reported by Deadline, a week into filming, Helena Bonham Carter (previously one of the first names cast) exited the show. According to the outlet, HBO explained that her character "did not align once on set" and the role needed to be reworked. Days after the news broke, Laura Dern was said to be replacing the British star. Now, the Oscar-winner will play a different character, "being developed and written for her by White."

In the weeks since, Variety revealed that Bonham Carter was to play an actress trying to make her big comeback at Cannes, but differed from "White’s demand for a boisterous performance." Dern's role is said to "fill a similar place within the ensemble, but isn't the exact same part.

Dern has long been rumored to be a favorite for The White Lotus, considering she and White are longtime collaborators. (If you haven't already seen Enlightened, do yourself a favor!) That's not to mention that she's technically already a part of The White Lotus universe: As eagle-eyed fans discovered in season 2, the actress voiced the wife of Michael Imperioli's character over the phone. The word's still out on whether she'll reprise the role and bring it to the screen, or play a different part.

In general, we won't know many character details about anybody in the ensemble until shortly before the season airs, but we can surely start theorizing. Especially now that we know the series will follow two film crews, you can galaxy-brain about who might make up which team.

For instance, there are more than a few names hailing from Norway or of Norwegian descent, which feels significant. Could they be playing costars on a film project? And with so many iconic actresses on board, might some of them be playing career rivals, forced to reunite on the Cannes carpet? We'll have to wait and see!

What characters will return for 'The White Lotus' season 4?

One of the biggest questions surrounding a new season of The White Lotus is which previous stars could return for another round. So far, three characters have appeared in multiple seasons: Tanya (Jennifer Coolidge), who tragically died in season 2; her ex-husband Greg/Gary (Jon Gries), who likely had her killed and is living large off her fortune in Thailand; and Belinda (Natasha Rothwell), who accepts $5 million in hush money from Greg in the season 3 finale. This trio's storyline comes full circle by the end of season 3, so this could be the last we see of them. However, Rothwell and Gries have both said they are up to return for season 4, so who knows?

As for who else could return for season 4, all the guests from season 3 are fair game, except for the dearly departed Rick (Walton Goggins) and Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood). And there are certainly several characters from past iterations that could be up for another vacation.

The cast and crew have alluded to as much. During a THR roundtable, Patrick Schwarzenegger (who played Saxon) brought up the possibility of an all-star season with multiple returning cast members, to which White replied, "I’d love to do that."

"They could get all the douche guys in one hotel together," Schwarzenegger added. "Mike said that one day when we were on set, he was like, 'Oh my God, it’d be so good to get you, Jake Lacy, and Theo James in the same room.'"

HBO CEO Casey Bloys added, "Maybe Molly Shannon’s character and Victoria Ratliff know each other? There are so many connections between all these awful people."

We're starting a prayer circle now for that last pairing—as well as the return of Meghann Fahy's season 2 fan-favorite character, Daphne. It could also be fun to see Michael Imperioli's Dominic Di Grasso, should Laura Dern actually resume playing his ex-wife, Abby. We can't wait to check back in and see what's possible!

If you were among the many viewers who, upon meeting the trio of childhood friends reuniting in the first episode of The White Lotus’s third season, couldn’t tell any of them apart, please know that was the point. At least according to creator Mike White, who dubbed them “the blonde blob.” But as the episodes ticked by, their personalities came into focus: There’s attention-seeking, brazen TV actress Jaclyn (Michelle Monaghan), prim and uptight Austin philanthropist Kate (Leslie Bibb), and recently-divorced, boozy New York lawyer Laurie (Carrie Coon).

As Laurie, Coon brings a spiky sense of insecurity and a near-desperate desire to be accepted by her friends, even when she’s talking shit about them (Jaclyn seeks validation in men! Kate maybe voted for Trump!) and when she knows they’re talking shit about her.

After Jaclyn sleeps with their “health mentor,” Valentin (Arnas Fedaravičius), the women stop gossiping in private, and bring their decades-long grievances to the group dinner table. In Sunday night’s episode, Jaclyn takes a jab at Laurie: “Are you life’s victim or are you doing it to yourself?”

Jaclyn’s betrayal is “the catalyst for this moment where they actually start to say things to each other's faces,” Coon says over Zoom from her home in Westchester. It’s a Tuesday afternoon and the actress, best known for her Emmy-nominated roles in Fargo and The Gilded Age, is relaxed and wearing a sweatshirt that reps the Brooklyn bookstore Books Are Magic—a happy coincidence considering her character, Laurie, was reading a book written by the shop’s owner (Emma Straub) in episode 6. “So many pieces of art that are asking about identity ask the central question, ‘If you let go of the illusions you have about yourself or other people, can this relationship survive?’ That's where they are right now.”

After the women explode at one another, Laurie ditches Jaclyn and Kate and heads for the Muay Thai fight, where she meets up with Valentin and his Russian buddies. After a few beers and blood spatter in the ring, Laurie finally gets laid…albeit with conman Aleksei (Julian Kostov), who, post-coital, asks her for $10,000 to help his mother. (“Paypal? Zelle? Cash app?”) She’s then forced to flee the scene, pants barely fastened, after a few knocks to the head courtesy of Aleksei’s girlfriend.

Here, Coon breaks down the penultimate episode, Laurie’s fashion choices, and how she gained “autonomy” by filming in Thailand without her family.

Marie Claire: In a lot of ways, this trio is the most relatable group of the guests. Was this a familiar dynamic to you?

Carrie Coon: I know a lot of women who have childhood friends, and they go on girls’s trips every year. That is just not the way my life has unfolded. I looked like a boy until I was 17, and then I was one of those problematic girls who didn't think I could be friends with girls. I found female friendship very late in my life, and in that way I think my female friendships have a degree of health and stability.

But the writing is excellent and we all understand that these dynamics exist between women. We are forced to compare ourselves to others. Buddhism says that the comparing mind is a source of great pain and suffering, and whether you think you are better or worse, you will have suffering, and you will cause suffering for other people. It just makes perfect sense that this trio of ladies is who Mike has chosen to put into this Buddhist country examining spiritual questions about identity and self and reckoning with your own life choices.

MC: In the first episode, viewers are led to believe that Jaclyn and Kate are the two best friends and Laurie is on the outside. She is in a lot of ways but as everything unfolds, you realize there are one million dynamics at play in this tripod. It’s not that simple. How did you talk to Leslie and Michelle about this trio’s relationship?

CC: All three of us have been doing this long enough. Your job is to show up prepared and be present in the scene. But normally in a job, there would only be one of us, there wouldn't be three of us. It was such a distinct pleasure at this particular age and at this time in our careers to get to be on the same set together. Because we know the job, we know exactly what's expected of us, and our scenes would always go quickly because you had three really professional women coming in super prepared to do the work.

At the same time, we were actually living together in the Four Seasons. While we were acting out this old friendship, we were forging our new friendship because we were literally eating our meals together, going to the gym together, going to the grocery store, washing our underwear outside. We were doing all of these really intimate things. In some ways we were living this five-month friendship, even as we're living through this old friendship unfolding, however complicated that was. But we are really healthy people in very successful times in our lives. We are the Jaclyns, in a way.

MC: What intrigued you most about Laurie as a character?

CC: In some ways, she's a lot like me. When my family saw episode 5 [when Laurie dances at the bar], they said, "Well, it's nothing we haven't seen you do at a wedding.”

But I really like her arc through the season. She has to hit this very particular bottom, and because no one has seen episode 8, you don't know if she survives, you don't know if she goes postal, kills everyone. You don't know if she learns something or she learns nothing. But it doesn't stay static. None of the characters will be in the same place where they started.

MC: How would you define her arc?

CC: Dark night of the soul, baby. It's not the one she was expecting, it's not the one she wanted. It's not what she was seeking, but it's what she's getting.

MC: It was so fun to watch her let loose in episode 5. She goes to bed dancing! Do you think that she wanted to hook up with Valentin? Why do you think she didn't go for it?

CC: Laurie means what she says early in the episodes when Jaclyn suggests that she go after Valentin. She says, "I don't think he'd be interested anyway."

Ultimately, those questions are about self-esteem. She's just come out of a divorce and she hasn't been playing the game for a while. She's waiting for him to make a move, and Jaclyn doesn't wait. Also, she's a drunk, and drunks aren't necessarily good on the follow-through. They can make mistakes and Laurie finally gets hers, but not without consequences. Not without some real deep humiliation. The thing she was afraid of turns out to be true.

MC: You’re talking about how, in episode 7, she sleeps with Aleksei, who turns out to be a conman. What do you think she is hoping to get from this experience? And do you think she gets any of it?

CC: She's not unhappy to get laid. I think if she were to walk away from a Thai vacation with a sexy young boyfriend, that would be a dream come true. A dream she didn't know she had. But perhaps she’s looking for validation from her friends. To prove to them and to herself that she is attractive.

But then she experiences this humiliation where she almost has to laugh. You have now jumped out a window and got smacked on the head by some booby Russian and you don't know where you are and you don't know how to get home, and it's humiliating.

MC: Backing up a bit, when she's having dinner with Jaclyn and Kate, instead of talking shit about one another, they're talking shit about each other to each other in a way that feels like they're being honest for the first time. Kate says that Laurie is always disappointed, and it’s like Laurie realizes someone else sees the worst qualities she sees in herself. She’s confronted with the fact that these women know her.

CC: Laurie is really good at calling out other people. She has not been good about taking responsibility for her part in it. People who love you the most can also hurt you the most. They are probably people who actually do see you. So ultimately, they do really know each other. They do see each other and they don't necessarily want to look at themselves. It's a very painful moment. It's a catalyst for whether or not we think this friend group can or should survive this vacation.

My husband [the writer and actor Tracy Letts] wrote a play, and in it there's a quote that says, "New friends are better than old friends." You have to ask yourself, at what point are these relationships being continued just out of habit as opposed to true identification with one another? How are they reactive? If they're unexamined, you will continue to be living inside reactivity.

MC: I'm curious to find out in the finale if they leave as friends.

CC: Yeah, me too. Maybe everybody dies. Everybody dies.

MC: There is a moment when she's leaving Aleksei's apartment and she sees the jewels. Do you think that she was clocking that he's the thief or is that a subtle confirmation to the audience that he was?

CC: I think because we saw that snake necklace with Chelsea in the shop, the audience will certainly make that connection. Our storyline is so siloed in a way, I don't think they know. They've heard about the robbery, but they don't know specifically what was taken. Any intelligent person is thinking, "That doesn't belong here," right? “There's something more sinister happening. And I should probably get the fuck out.”

MC: You said in a recent interview that one of the most profound parts of doing The White Lotus was the “recovery of your personal autonomy.” What did you gain from this experience?

CC: I don't know any mother who isn't suffering from burnout. Because of the way we parent now—alone in a house without community—it's very hard to be a parent. There's a different psychological demand on women when their children are young. Trying to balance a successful career, which I'm in the throes of right now, with raising young children means there's always an opportunity cost. I either have to turn down a really great job or my relationship with my children will suffer on some level.

My children are incredibly privileged and safe and well cared for. They have wonderful people in their lives who support us. However, women at all levels are struggling with this question of work-life balance that is absolutely impossible to achieve. For me, to go away [to film in Thailand] for weeks at a time, I would sleep when I wanted to sleep, somebody was cooking for me, and I didn't have to clean up. I could read books and I could exercise and take care of myself. I could meditate, and I could go swim in the ocean. Being the arbiter of how I spend my time is something that I don't know another woman who's parenting right now has. The idea that my career affords me the chance to step away from being a mother and then come back to it so that I can appreciate it on another level is a thing most women don't get.

Because I live a creative life, when I get to be away from my family, there's something really fulfilling about the process I'm engaged in, which is about building something and being fully expressed. So it's a tremendous gift to get to do it. I credit my husband with making space for me to do it.

But then the flip side is when I had free time, I had to get on a plane for 18 hours and fly home and there's no jet lag, there's no nap. I got pneumonia. I was so sick during a lot of that shoot because I had to go back and forth.

Other people were like, "Let's go to Cambodia, let's go to Tokyo." I was like, "I got to go home to New York and do laundry and make dinner and make sure my children are feeling psychologically cared for, and make sure the nannies have the right schedule and that the swimming lessons are scheduled for the summer, and that all the bills are paid for these extracurricular activities." The responsibilities were just overwhelming.

My husband had said to me at some point, "I just want you to know, we see all the things you do. We do recognize all the things you're doing that we don't even know about." I know women who are waiting 10 years in a marriage to hear that from their partner.

MC: It's probably important for your children to see you pursuing this creative endeavor in a way that shows that you have a full life as a person, as Carrie Coon, not just as Mom.

CC: Yes. It’s important even to counteract their feelings of privilege and entitlement in the life they're living. A little discomfort is good. These kids need to learn frustration tolerance, and they need to learn about their own resourcefulness and resilience.

MC: Costume designer Alex Bovaird has said Laurie is really trying to keep up with Jaclyn and live this glamorous lifestyle, and you can see that through her style. What kind of conversations did you have with the costume designer?

CC: What was important to me is that while she is in resort clothing, she maybe didn't pack as well. She certainly wasn't like Kate. She didn't go out and buy a whole new wardrobe for this trip, which you know Kate did. Her clothes feel a little bit off. They're not quite right. They don't fit as well. Her hat's a little dowdy but necessary because she's not going to get sun. It was important to me that her nail color feel a little bit weird. It's this weird violet-y blue, like she was trying something and it just didn't work. Those were the choices we made along with the fact that she's in Thailand and Laurie doesn't know what to do with her hair. It's frizzy.

MC: All the details matter so much and they really pop when they're right. I’m not the only one who clocked her reading Emma Straub’s Modern Lovers by the pool in episode 6. Did you have a say in that?

CC: Mike and I did go through some selects. That's her beach read. The joke for me and Mike that no one will ever see is that she brought A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. She’s like, “Everyone’s talking about this book. I have to read it.” But she just can't bring herself to read it. So A Little Life is actually in Laurie's suitcase.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Hair Peter Butler | Makeup Rebecca Restrepo | Stylist Alicia Lombardini

Sawatdee kha, and welcome to Thailand! It's finally check-in time for the third season of The White Lotus. After season 2's shocking ending, season 3 sees a jam-packed cast journey to the Thai island of Koh Samui, once again bringing drama and danger as their carry-ons. From an incestuous Southern family to a middle-aged girl squad to two(!) familiar faces, read on to get to know the outrageous characters of The White Lotus season 3, and the global A-listers starring in the HBO anthology.

The Guests in 'The White Lotus' season 3

Natasha Rothwell as Belinda Lindsey

Continuing the tradition established in season 2, The White Lotus's third season brings back a fan-favorite character from an earlier season. This time, masseuse Belinda is checking into a new White Lotus as part of a three-month cultural exchange program for the hotel's workers. In addition to learning Thai wellness methods, she's also expecting a visit from her college-aged son Zion.

Natasha Rothwell, 44, was born in Wichita, Kansas, and taught high school theater in N.Y.C., before becoming a writer on Saturday Night Live's 2014-2015 season. Before The White Lotus season 1, Rothwell had her breakout writing on Insecure and co-starring alongside Issa Rae as the hilarious Kelly. She also created the Hulu series How to Die Alone, which won a Film Independent Spirit Award for Best Ensemble Cast in a New Scripted Series.

Nicholas Duvernay as Zion Lindsey

Belinda's son Zion, the center of the season 3 premiere's harrowing flash-forward, is played by Nicholas Duvernay, 25. The Long Island-born actor is best known for appearing in the romance movies Purple Hearts and Perfect Addiction and the series Bel-Air and Tyler Perry's Assisted Living.

Jason Isaacs as Timothy Ratliff

Timothy Ratliff, a wealthy, no-nonsense Southern businessman, arrives at the White Lotus with his wife, Victoria, and his children, Saxon, Piper, and Lochlan. Timothy struggles with the Thai resort's no-phones policy when he starts getting calls from a journalist.

Jason Isaacs, 61, is nearly unrecognizable on The White Lotus, as many millennials best know the English actor for playing Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter films. The prolific stage, screen, and voice actor's other credits include the movies The Patriot, Black Hawk Down, and Peter Pan; and the shows Brotherhood, The OA, and Sex Education. Fun fact: He also voiced Admiral Zhao in Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra.

Parker Posey as Victoria Ratliff

Two things that immediately stick out about Victoria Ratliff are her pronounced Southern drawl and her affinity for popping pills. She is very loving towards her family, though she doesn't understand her daughter's interest in Buddhism.

Parker Posey, 56, has been dubbed the "Queen of Indies" for her tenure staring in independent films from auteurs like Christopher Guest (Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, A Mighty Wind) and Richard Linklater (Dazed and Confused, SubUrbia), as well as the films Party Girl and House of Yes. Recently, she appeared in TV shows including Search Party, Lost in Space, The Staircase, and Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

Patrick Schwarzenegger as Saxon Ratliff

Eldest sibling Saxon is a finance bro happily working for his father, who says that "pussy, money, and freedom" are "all that matters in life." His one goal for this family vacation is to get himself and his little brother laid. Yes, he's just as weird as he sounds.

Patrick Schwarzenegger, 31, is the son of former Terminator star Arnold Schwarzenegger and author Maria Shriver. Since his acting debut as a teenager, he has appeared in shows including The Terminal List, The Staircase, Gen V, and American Sports Story. Outside of his acting career, music fans may also know him from his brief rumored romance with Taylor Swift.

Sarah Catherine Hook as Piper Ratliff

Middle child Piper is why the Ratliff clan is in Thailand, as the religious studies major wants to write about a nearby Buddhist temple for her senior thesis. She thinks her family's unrepentant wealth is ridiculous but in a more earnest way than season 1's Olivia (Sydney Sweeney).

Sarah Catherine Hook, 29, is a rising star in television. The Montgomery, Alabama native had starring roles on the Netflix lesbian vampire drama First Kill and the recent Prime Video remake of Cruel Intentions. She's next set to appear in Netflix's adaptation of Emily Henry's romance novel People We Meet on Vacation.

Sam Nivola as Lochlan Ratliff

Lochy, the youngest Ratliff child, is a high school senior torn between two life paths: attend Duke (where his dad and older brother matriculated) or UNC Chapel Hill (like his mother and sister). In an obvious parallel, the shy teen is torn between his obnoxious brother and his kind sister from the start of their trip. (Though there may be something extra between Saxon and Lochlan.)

Sam Nivola, 21, is the son of English actress Emily Mortimer and American actor Alessandro Nivola. The Columbia University grad made his acting debut alongside his mom in the 2013 TV series Doll & Em and went on to appear in the films White Noise, Maestro, and Eileen, as well as the Netflix rich-people-behaving-badly series The Perfect Couple.

Walton Goggins as Rick Hatchett

Rick is a man of mystery. As of episode 1, all we know is that he travels the world with his younger girlfriend Chelsea and he's not very kind towards her. He also seems interested in the Thai resort's owner, an American businessman named Jim Hollinger.

Walton Goggins, 53, is an Alabama-born actor and multiple Emmy nominee, who rose to fame with his supporting roles on the FX shows The Shield and Justified. He's also well-known for starring alongside Danny McBride on the HBO series The Righteous Gemstones and Vice Principles. In addition to Justified, he received an Emmy nomination for his starring role in the dystopian series Fallout.

Aimee Lou Wood as Chelsea

Chelsea is a perfect fit for this White Lotus's vibe; the kindhearted former yoga teacher from Manchester, England is all about tranquility. Unfortunately, her older boyfriend Rick often kills her vibe with his secretive and hostile personality.

Aimee Lou Wood, 30, first rose to international fame with her award-winning TV debut as Aimee Gibbs on Sex Education. The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art grad has mostly starred in British shows and movies, including Daddy Issues, The Electrical Life of Louis Wain, Living, and Seize Them!. She's next set to appear in the Netflix miniseries Toxic Town.

Michelle Monaghan as Jaclyn Lemon

Jaclyn is a famous TV actress traveling to the White Lotus to treat her childhood besties Kate and Laurie to a girls' trip. Jaclyn recently married the love of her life, another actor, and seems to be on cloud nine. However, there's a frenemy undertone to the trio's sisterhood.

Michelle Monaghan, 48, is a prolific film and TV actress who has appeared in movies Unfaithful, Gone Baby Gone, Made of Honor, MaXXXine, and the Mission: Impossible franchise. On the TV front, her credits include True Detective, The Path, Echoes, and Bad Monkey.

Leslie Bibb as Kate

Kate lives in Austin and is married to a man who's "big in Texas." She seems to be the peacemaker in her friend group, though she's not above digging for gossip.

Leslie Bibb, 50, started as a model before her breakout role on the short-lived Ryan Murphy series Popular, which premiered on The WB in 1999. Her credits since include the shows GCB, American Housewife, Palm Royale, and Juror #2, as a recurring role in the first two Iron Man films. She has been in a relationship with Sam Rockwell since 2007.

Carrie Coon as Laurie

Laurie, the third member of the friend group, is a bit of an outsider. The corporate lawyer doesn't seem to relate to her friends' socialite lives, and she's the only single gal there. Time will tell what it takes for the trio to implode.

Carrie Coon, 44, got her start in regional theater and made her Broadway debut in the 2012 revival of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, which earned her a Tony nomination. Soon after, she had breakout roles in the 2014 movie Gone Girl and the HBO series The Leftovers. Other notable credits include Fargo season 3, Widows, Avengers: Infinity War, His Three Daughters, and The Gilded Age.

Charlotte Le Bon as Chloe

Chelsea befriends Chloe at the resort bar, but the mysterious woman is not a fellow guest. Instead, Chloe is a model living in a house up the hill with her own grumpy older boyfriend, who looks a bit familiar...

Charlotte Le Bon, 38, is an actor and filmmaker from Montreal, Québec, Canada. After working as a model for eight years, Le Bon made her acting debut on the French variety show Le Grand Journal and eventually earned a César Award nomination for the biopic Yves Saint Laurent. Her English-language credits include The Hundred-Foot Journey, The Walk, and The Promise. She made her feature-length directorial debut with 2022's Falcon Lake, which had its premiere at that year's Cannes Film Festival.

Jon Gries as Greg Hunt

Your eyes do not deceive you, Chloe's LBH ("loser back home") boyfriend is, in fact, Greg, Tanya McQuoid's ex-husband. A quick refresher: Tanya met Greg in Hawaii in season 1, and upon meeting him, she promptly dumped plans to finance Belinda's spa, leaving the masseuse devastated. Tanya and Greg traveled to Italy together in season 2, but he departed early, leaving Tanya to befriend and then meet her demise at the hands of those murderous gays. It was never confirmed, but Greg was likely behind the plot to kill Tanya so he could inherit her wealth.

Jon Gries, 67, is an L.A. native who began as a child actor and has appeared in TV series, movies, and video games. Some of his notable credits include recurring roles on the shows Martin, 24, Supernatural, and Psych; the movies Real Genius, Get Shorty, Napoleon Dynamite, and the Taken franchise.

The Staff in 'The White Lotus' Season 3

Lisa (Lalisa Manobal) as Mook

Mook is one of the health mentors at the White Lotus, who serves as a sort of assigned concierge for Rick and Chelsea. She's good friends with security guard Gaitok, but she's also impressed by the resort owners' bodyguards, who get to travel the world.

Lalisa Manobal, stage name Lisa, 27, is a global pop star and member of the K-pop girl group BLACKPINK. She was born and raised in Thailand before moving to Korea at age 14, and now the most-followed K-pop idol on Instagram. In addition to making her acting debut on The White Lotus, Lisa's soon set to release her debut album Alter Ego on February 28.

Tayme Thapthimthong as Gaitok

Gaitok works as a security guard at the White Lotus, a mostly unexciting gig that involves manning the resort's entrance gate. He's devoted to his friend and crush Mook, but he gets intimidated when she speaks with the bodyguards.

Tayme Thapthimthong, 35, was born and raised in England and worked as a bouncer while studying at Kingston University. He eventually moved to Thailand, where he placed runner-up in season 10 of the singing competition Academy Fantasia. He quickly landed acting roles and has since appeared in shows including Farang, Bäckström, and the Netflix original Thai Cave Rescue.

Lek Patravadi as Sritala

Sritala is the glamorous owner of the Thailand-based White Lotus, which she co-owns with her American husband Jim Hollinger. Formerly a singer, actress, and author, Sritala became a wellness pioneer after she was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder.

Lek Patravadi, also known as Patravadi 'Lek' Mejudhon, 76, has been dubbed the "Judi Dench of Thailand" by show creator Mike White. The veteran actress is best known for her breakout role in 1973's Mai Mee Sawan Samrab Khun, which earned her the Thai equivalent of the Best Actress Oscar, and for the 2018 series In Family We Trust. She was named the country's National Artist in Performing Arts in 2015, and she opened the country’s first open-air theatre and established a theater school.

Christian Friedel as Fabian

Fabian, the general manager of The White Lotus Thailand, is skilled at his job but fairly socially awkward. He often sucks up to his boss Sritala, though he occasionally wants the spotlight for himself.

Christian Friedel, 45, is a German stage and screen actor who debuted in 2009. Stateside, he's best known for playing Reinhold Gräf on the series Babylon Berlin, as well as starring in the Oscar-winning film The Zone of Interest. He's also a member of the German band Woods of Birnam.

Dom Hetrakul as Pornchai

Pornchai is the wellness expert who trains Belinda in new massage techniques as part of her cultural exchange in Thailand. She's set to stay for three months, so who knows if their friendship could grow into something more.

Dom Hetrakul, 48, made his acting debut in 1998 and has appeared in Thai and Hollywood productions. Before The White Lotus, his most notable Western projects are 2008's Bangkok Dangerous (starring Nicolas Cage) and the Hallmark miniseries Blackbeard. He has also provided Thai voice dubbing for movies including Shrek 3, Puss in Boots, Batman Begins, and The Dark Night.

Arnas Fedaravičius as Valentin

Valentin is a health mentor at the White Lotus, a Russian expat who assists (and flirts with) Jaclyn, Kate, and Laurie throughout their trip. He's played by Arnas Fedaravičius, 33, a Lithuanian actor and boxer who previously starred in the Netflix period drama The Last Kingdom, and the Prime Video fantasy epic The Wheel of Time.

Shalini Peiris as Amrita

Amrita is another White Lotus wellness team member, specializing in meditation. She takes a special interest in helping Rick through his baggage. She's played by Shalini Peiris, 39, a Sri Lankan actress who has appeared in Lockwood & Co., 3 Body Problem, and The Ark.

Morgana O'Reilly as Pam

Pam, the Australian health mentor who has a rough time getting the Ratliffs to give up their phones, is played by Morgana O'Reilly, 39. The New Zealand stage and screen actress previously starred in the 2014 movie Housebound, the long-running shows Neighbours and Wentworth, and the psychological drama Friends Like Her.

'The White Lotus' Season 3 Cameos

Ke Huy Quan as Kenny

In episode 2, Tim Ratliff has a fraught phone call with Kenny, his former business partner in a fund that may or may not have had shady ties to the government of Brunei. We don't see Kenny's face, but Everything Everywhere All At Once fans may have clocked that the familiar voice belongs to Ke Huy Quan, 53.

Before his Oscar-winning comeback in the 2022 sci-fi film, the Vietnamese-American actor rose to fame as a child star in '80s movies like Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and The Goonies. His post-EEAAO credits have included the Disney+ shows American Born Chinese and Loki season 2, and the movies Kung Fu Panda 4 and Love Hurts.

In January 2025, Mindy Kaling's must-watch series The Sex Lives of College Girls wrapped up a season of big changes. Co-created by Kaling and Justin Noble for Max, season 3 of the friendship comedy set at the fictional Essex College saw the departure of a fan-favorite star (we miss you, Renée Rapp!) and the arrival of several newcomers, as Bela (Amrit Kaur), Whitney (Alyah Chanelle Scott), and Kimberly (Pauline Chalamet) entered their sophomore year.

By the season 3 finale, which arrived on January 23, the core threesome and their new friends Kacey (Gracie Lawrence) and Taylor (Mia Rodgers) have dealt with mental health concerns, heartbreak, revelations about their sexuality, and even a brief stint in jail. For a while, fans were clamoring for news of whether our girls would be back to finish up sophomore year. Now we finally know the fate The Sex Lives of College Girls season 4; read on for more.

Has 'The Sex Lives of College Girls' been renewed for season 4?

On March 18, 2025, Deadline reported that Max cancelled SLOCG after three seasons. According to the outlet, the streamer's decision was likely due to ratings.

At the time, the SLOCG team was "looking for ways to keep the show going" by finding a new streaming home for it, including potentially with Netflix, which release the Kaling-produced Running Point. However, one month later in April, the producing studio behind the series, Warner Bros. Television, confirmed to Deadline that their attempts to shop the show around were unsuccessful.

"We were very much hoping to find a new home for that one, and I think we’ve now come to the end of the road, which is disappointing because it’s a show that we really love,” Warner Bros. TV Group chairman Channing Dungey told the outlet. “I’m so proud of the three seasons that we did at Max, but I don’t think there’s going to be more of College Girls.”

Showrunner Justin Noble seemed to be in the dark about Max's decision. In a TVLine interview published after the release of the season 3 finale, he was optimistic about the show's renewal chances but said he knew "just as little as an audience member."

"The only thing that I see is, like, the Top 10 list in Max, and for, like, 60-something days straight, Sex Lives was either the most-watched scripted show on Max or the second-most watched scripted show for, truly, months now," he said at the time. "So I would feel good, but I can’t control anything beyond that."

He expressed further disappointment when the cult-loved show was cancelled. On Instagram, he wrote, "I can’t help but mention that it feels like there are fewer and fewer comedy series every month—and we are living in an era where we need that comedy badly...So I really hope that turns around, but I will always be proud of this show for being the things that we weren’t seeing enough of: a hard comedy ensemble where ladies get the jokes.”

Who in the cast would have returned for 'The Sex Lives of College Girls' season 4?

Based on the end of SLOCG season 3, it was likely that the entire lead friend group—Pauline Chalamet (Kimberly), Amrit Kaur (Bela), Alyah Chanelle Scott (Whitney), and new addition Gracie Lawrence (Kacey)—would have returned for season 4. There was also a good chance that Ilia Isorelýs Paulino (Lila), Christopher Meyer (Canaan), and Renika Williams (Willow) would be back, as well as newcomers Mia Rodgers (Taylor) and Ruby Cruz (Ash).

What would 'The Sex Lives of College Girls' season 4 have been about?

Spoilers for The Sex Lives of College Girls season 3 finale ahead. The SLOCG season 3 finale wraps up most girls' journeys. Whitney used her new therapy knowledge to demand better conditions for Essex's student-athletes. In addition to finding her way back to comedy, Bela came out after embracing her bisexuality. Kacey lost her virginity, and though things don't work out with Cooper (Roby Attal), her friends help her through the heartbreak enough so she can claim her Greatest Showman solo. As for fellow new pal Taylor, she ended the season happily dating Ash and embracing her sobriety.

With all these happy endings and no cliffhanger, the character who would have been set up to deal with major drama in season 4 was Kimberly. Sure, she's not in a literal jail cell by the end of the season 3 finale, but our fave perfectionist would have had to deal with the institutional and friendship fallout of her protest going too far, after stealing Bela's ID(!) to get into the server room and shut down a conservative speaker's livestream. Plus, she had two dudes on the hook: hot protest leader Noah (Trevor Tordjman) and Eli (Michael Provost), who finally apologizes for abandoning her while she was on drugs at a rave.

Speaking with TVLine post-season 3, Noble hinted at what he hoped to explore in season 4, starting with more Lila lore. "I always want to see more of Lila and where her life goes and have her interact with our girls more," he shared.

He also opened up about the main characters' journeys thus far and where that could lead them going forward. "This was a season of big growth. This was a season of challenges thrown at our girls that they probably hadn’t seen coming when they entered sophomore year with open eyes," he noted. "So I think they’re emerging much more mature than they have in previous seasons. They’ve lived a lot more life, as opposed to, like, the sheltered life of worrying about a grade or something. So I’m excited to see how they lean on each other more as they start to really tackle things that are going to be big-ticket items in helping them become the people that they are meant to be."

Noble also laid out possible storylines following season 3's finale in an interview with TheWrap. "Kimberly has the cliffhanger of this season—she thinks that the school is going to sue her for property damage. I’d love to see how that goes down and if Tig Notaro’s character would play into that if she has to come to her aid," he explained. "We have multiple new love interests that appear in these two episodes at the end of season 3, we have the closing of some doors and different extracurriculars and school things, so there’s a lot of momentum heading into a season 4, and lots of ways we can go. So pending a phone call, Mindy and I and the writers will be at the ready to decide which way to go."

We're bummed we won't be able to returned to Essex to see that through!

One of the films to win big at the 2025 Golden Globes on Sunday, January 5 was The Brutalist—which few moviegoers have actually seen. Directed by Brady Corbet and co-written by him and his wife Mona Fastvold, the acclaimed A24 film and one of the best dramas of 2024 was among the most-nominated titles with a total of seven nods, just behind Emilia Pérez's 10. By the end of the awards show, The Brutalist nabbed three coveted prizes: Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama for star Adrien Brody, and Best Director.

If the Golden Globes are any indication of how the rest of the 2025 awards season is about to go, this won't be the last we're hearing of The Brutalist. Unless you consider yourself a major cinephile whose ears perked when the movie premiered at Venice Film Festival in September, you're tapped into "Film Twitter" or Letterboxd, or among the audiences who've already gotten out to see it in New York and L.A., the Globes may be the first time you're hearing of the period piece. Or, perhaps, the one thing you've heard about the film that's stuck with you is its lengthy runtime of three hours and 35 minutes, plus a 15 intermission.

Because the post-World War II tragedy starring Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones is absolutely worth seeing (yes, even with its runtime!) and will likely only earn more attention as awards season goes on, here's a guide on how to watch The Brutalist and whether it's streaming.

What is 'The Brutalist' about?

The Brutalist is an epic about the American immigrant experience, set in the aftermath of World War II. Brody stars as the fictional, renowned Jewish-Hungarian Brutalist-style architect László Toth, who studied at Bauhaus and was an artistic visionary across Europe before he was forced into the concentration camps. After surviving the war, he moves to the United States in hopes of starting anew and reuniting with his wife Erzsébet (Jones) and niece Zsófia (Raffey Cassidy), after they were separated. Eventually, once somewhat settled in the developing Pennsylvania, his path crosses with the wealthy investor and industrialist Harrison Lee Van Buren (Guy Pearce), who recognizes how underused his talent has been in America and taps him for a project.

Told in two parts with an epilogue (and the 15-minute intermission coming after the first section), The Brutalist is altogether an astounding cinematic feat exploring the flaws of the American dream and how ingrained otherness and struggle is in the nation's fabric. The film's scale—made against a budget under $10 million—is rather impressive, and though Toth is not a real figure or based on a real person, Corbet's attention to detail and Brody's performance makes him feel immensely lived-in and real.

How to watch 'The Brutalist'

To see The Brutalist right now, you will need to carve out time to head to the movies. The A24 film is exclusively in cinemas and opened in just several theaters in N.Y.C. and L.A. on December 20, with some special presentations in 70 mm. (The film was shot in VistaVision, a widescreen format developed in the '50s.) Since then, the film has expanded to more theaters in N.Y.C. and L.A., and by January 9, it will open in more locations across the country. It's set to continue expand to additional cities by January 23. You can check online for local listings.

Every screening of The Brutalist has a 15-minute intermission included—it's literally a still that is part of the movie—likely so to not scare moviegoers away from its runtime. But seriously, do not fear the length: The drama moves and it's worth seeing on the big screen.

When will 'The Brutalist' come to streaming?

It's yet to be announced when The Brutalist will arrive on streaming. When it does, it should premiere on Max, since it's an A24 release and that's where the production house/distributor has an output deal.

Because the film was one of the most successful limited releases of 2024 and Corbet's intention was always to create a grand film with an intermission, it seems the movie still stay in theaters for quite some time. It may even continue to expand to more markets as awards season carries on and it ranks up more nominations. (Nominations for the 2025 Oscars will be announced January 17, ahead of the awards show on March 2.)

However, it may debut for at-home rental on platforms like Prime Video and Apple TV+ in the coming months, but a VOD release date has yet to be announced as well.

As for its Max release, we'd guess it won't appear on the streamer until at least late spring or summer.

There's a particular magic that sparks among a group of women building unbreakable friendships while coming-of-age, and that power propels The Sex Lives of College Girls. Max's hit raunchy comedy follows a friend group at the fictional Essex College, as they become each other's ride-or-die besties and emotional rocks through the ups and downs of dating and university life.

The Mindy Kaling-produced series faced some major shake-ups going into its third season. Following the departure of main cast member Reneé Rapp, the show expanded its cast with several new faces, including rising stars Gracie Lawrence and Mia Rodgers as new members of the central friend group, which includes Kimberly (Pauline Chalamet), Whitney (Alyah Chanelle Scott), and Bela (Amrit Kaur). With season 3 just a few weeks into its airing, the new core fivesome's chemistry is already a match made in comedy heaven.

As season 3's first episodes arrived on Max in late November, we sat down with Scott, Chalamet, Lawrence, and Rodgers to play our favorite test of off-screen friendship, How Well Do You Know Your Co-Star? The actresses breezed through questions about their favorite Disney Channel Original Movies, childhood dream jobs, and go-to bakes, while mining their memories for fun facts they've learned about each other while bonding on set. Newcomers Lawrence and Rodgers reminisced on some memories of their jobs before landing on the Max hit, while Scott and Chalamet revealed the Broadway show that's their go-to for an impromptu karaoke session.

Watch the full challenge, above, then watch new episodes of The Sex Lives of College Girls every Thursday through January 23, 2025.

Gracie Lawrence never got the typical college experience. The musician-slash-actress spent much of her freshman year out on the road with her band, dropping out after just two semesters to focus on music. This fall, though, she finally feels like a real coed—now that she's among the new students on the Essex College campus in season 3 of The Sex Lives of College Girls.

Lawrence plays transfer student Kacey, introduced on the third episode of the Max hit. Though their personalities clash at first, the Southern Belle becomes the de facto new member of Bela (Amrit Kaur), Kimberly (Pauline Chalamet), and Whitney's (Alyah Chanelle Scott) friend group, taking over the vacancy in their suite when Leighton (Reneé Rapp) makes the difficult decision to switch schools.

SLOCG marks the 27-year-old’s biggest on-screen role to date, but it's hardly her first performance. The New York-born artist (and daughter of filmmaker Marc Lawrence) grew up on Broadway, taking small roles in film and TV as a child, though her large focus for nearly the past 15 years has been her band Lawrence, which she fronts with her brother, Clyde. The indie pop group has released viral hits like 2021’s “Don’t Lose Sight,” joined the Jonas Brothers on tour, and opened even for legends like The Rolling Stones. In June, they dropped their fourth album Family Business; she was busy finishing the projecting while preparing all her theater kid energy to take on the character of Kacey.

“There's something very fun about having the music side of my life be that I am playing myself—I'm the subject of my own work,” Lawrence tells Marie Claire over Zoom three weeks before her debut. “Then there's this other side of it where I get to play someone so different than me in so many ways. That provides a really nice balance in my life.”

Lawrence spoke with us about her band's untraditional trajectory, her exchange with Rapp before the pop star left the show, and what it was like joining an already-established cast.

Marie Claire: What was it like in the Lawrence household growing up? Were you always putting on performances?

Gracie Lawrence: My earliest memories are of my older brother Clyde sitting on the piano, and it was us, my parents, and then later my little brother, all gathered and singing or talking. It’s why our second album is called Living Room because our living room was a place where music was played. My parents don't work in music, but they both do things in the arts, and are huge music fans, so it's been a huge part of my life.

I think the thing I appreciate the most about my family is those early performances when I was 4 or 5-years-old singing a song—they were treated as seriously as I felt they were.

MC: You grew up in New York. Was that creatively fulfilling?

GL: Growing up in New York, obviously, you're surrounded by music, theater, all of it. Even when you take the subway anywhere, there's usually a musician performing, and I remember when I was a kid, my parents stopping and watching that. That always stuck with me that things are being made everywhere and you can stop and appreciate all of those things.

When [Clyde and I] were in middle school and high school, we would perform at little clubs that seated 20 people, places where you do an open mic and they let you have a slot a different night. We would do those performances on weekends or holiday breaks, whenever we could fit them in. From there it was a very gradual growth to what is now Lawrence.

MC: It’s very cool you started playing live shows so young and had a built-in partner with your brother, especially since there are so few all-ages venues.

GL: There are opportunities when you're a kid to audition for movies, TV, and theater—and I got into that really young—but on the music side, the opportunity to be a professional musician, the roadmap for that is unclear. Clyde and I both knew we wanted to do music from such a young age, and the way in which we got into it was just finding whatever opportunities we could to perform, whether that be in New York for 10 people at a bar that they would let us go to if our parents attended—because we needed to have a guardian there—or at our school and playing for our friends. We created our own path; we were always seeking out opportunities to try out material.

I used to get in trouble because they wouldn't let me into my own shows. Even if I showed up with someone else in the band who was over 18 or over 21, they would be like, ‘You are not allowed to come play.’ I'd be like, ‘That's my face on the tour poster.’ That happened all the time.

MC: That’s too funny. And on the side, you were auditioning for on-screen and on-stage acting roles. When did you realize that was also a niche you wanted to explore?

GL: I was really interested in performing in general from a really young age, and specifically was always really interested in comedy. I was obsessed with watching comedy specials as a kid, and so my mom was like, ‘Maybe you should take an acting class. I think you might enjoy that.’ I really liked it and wanted to flex that muscle. So, I started auditioning for things.

Shout out to my mom who would take me to all the auditions. I have the least stage-parent parents. They didn't push me into it in any way. I was begging to do it. My mom would come to these auditions with me and I ended up getting a few things. I was in a Broadway show when I was 12 and little TV roles and movie roles here and there for my whole childhood and adolescence. This role on The Sex Lives of College Girls is certainly the biggest role in a TV show I've ever had and maybe the biggest role period, and that's exciting. I've been auditioning for things since I was 9 and I'm 27, so it's a long time.

MC: What comedy were you into as a kid?

GL: There was that Ellen DeGeneres special—she had a whole bit about procrastination and it tied up at the end and I remember thinking, ‘Oh, that's so interesting. You can make something that has a thread that goes through the whole thing.’

I was obsessed with My Cousin Vinny—which is a movie that is so inappropriate for a 5-year-old—but I thought it was the funniest thing ever. I think my parents were just like, ‘You shouldn't talk like that, so don't use the words in this, but if you can intellectually differentiate between what you're watching and then what you say in preschool, so you can watch this.’ I immediately understood people were playing characters.

Also, shouts out to The Lizzie McGuire Movie—specifically Miss Ungermeyer. I was really drawn to women doing comedy. And I watched SNL from a young age and was so obsessed with it. My dad would show me a lot of Gilda Radner stuff.

MC: Coming into The Sex Lives of College Girls as the new roommate who replaces Reneé Rapp’s character Leighton, did you feel any pressure or have any conversations with Rapp about it?

GL: No, I didn't feel pressure because I felt like it was a completely different role and they weren't asking for anyone to fill anyone's shoes. That wasn't what it felt like to me, especially. They were also bringing in another new series regular [Taylor] played by Mia Rodgers. I felt like they were trying to build out the world of the friend group a little bit more.

I didn't have any scenes with Reneé because I come in after she leaves, but there was one day we met once because they were cross-shooting— where you are shooting multiple episodes at the same time. She was arriving while I was leaving, and we had a very brief, lovely moment like, ‘Oh my God, hi, how are you?’ And a hug. We both knew each other's music and were mutual fans of each other in the music world, so that was a fun hello.

MC: Did it make you nervous coming into an established show and cast? Or did you find yourself surprised by anything?

GL: I was nervous because I had watched the show and was a fan of the show before joining the cast, so I had this anxiety about joining something that I already loved. There's an excitement there, but there's also an added fear. I would walk into these sets that I knew, and I had this bizarre, trippy experience where I was walking into the TV like, ‘I know this cafeteria. This is so weird.’

Before I even arrived on set, I got messages from everyone. Then got there and every day everyone was reaching out to be a mentor or to give guidance because, yeah, you are walking into something that is a well-oiled machine and has operated already for two seasons. Even dumb things like, ‘And where do we eat lunch?’ There's a first day of school energy where everyone remembered what it was like to be new on the set, so they all rallied around me and provided so much warmth and help, which was so cool.

MC: After being on tour with Lawrence where you’re the only girl in the band, did you feel a different, feminine energy on The Sex Lives of College Girls set?

GL: It's true: I'm in a band with seven guys, and then I stepped into a show that's so female-centric. It was a nice change of pace. Those guys are brothers to me, both literally for one of them and then emotionally for the rest of them. So that experience is always the best because it's second nature. It's hanging out with my family. But it was really nice to be surrounded by a group of girls that are all sort of the same age.

The thing that was most significant about that to me was I went to college for a year and then dropped out. But even within that year, I was only attending college for a semester. I did the rest of the year on the road, so I never really had a proper college experience. It was kind of—not life imitating art—but art providing an experience that life didn't provide. I felt like being on set was very collegiate. We were on the Warner Brothers lot; you're essentially on campus. So many of our scenes were in this dorm room that we really did live in; between takes, we would all go to some of our rooms and chill there.

MC: In the first episode Kacey’s introduced, she has a melodramatic confrontation at a party. What was it like knowing you were debuting the character that way?

GL: That was the first scene that I shot for the whole show, which was kind of interesting to shoot because, in some ways, it's just one side of the character. It's almost like this hidden side of the character coming out, so that's a funny thing to play first. But at the same time, I was so relieved that that was the first scene because I was so nervous and amped up and had all this adrenaline. Having a scene where you don't have to be very controlled or subtle was a nice way to start. What I was doing on the exterior was sort of how I was feeling on the interior: just panic and the craziest side of myself.

MC: Kacey is a performer like yourself and at one point in the season she performs “Roar” by Katy Perry at a musical theater audition. Was that song choice written in the script?

GL: It was written into the script. If I remember correctly, it was going to be a pop song that ‘felt Kacey-ish.’ I got into the studio, there were a few songs, and we did recordings of them. Then when I got to set, [the showrunner] Justin felt really strongly about it being ‘Roar’ and thought it fit with what the character was going through. The other ones were great options, but they were unrelated to the storyline, so I understood that choice.

It also fit with the character new to the theater world—where they wouldn't choose a musical theater song. They would choose a pop song that they grew up loving and that felt like what they were going through in that moment.

I ended up singing it live. We did a few takes where I would lip sync to my voice, and then at the end, [Justin] was like, ‘I feel like this is going to be better if you just do it fully live.’

MC: Do you consider yourself a theater kid like Kacey?

GL: I do. Kacey’s whole thing is that she makes fun of theater kids, even though she kind of wants to be one, which is sort of a feature of hers in general. She tends to be a little reticent to open herself up to new things, but once she gets there, she wants to be a part of them so badly.

I definitely feel like I grew up being a theater kid. I grew up in New York City, so I would go see theater.I was in all my school plays, was on Broadway, and any theater opportunity I could be a part of, I jumped at. It's very funny for me to be saying these lines where I'm making fun of theater kids—essentially making fun of myself.

MC: In Lawrence, you mean a lot to your fans as both a frontwoman and because you sing candidly about your anxieties. SLOCG is similarly beloved for how relatable it is, and Kacey has a lot of insecurities herself. What has it been like to have a platform to explore that in a new way or relate to the character in that way?

GL: There was a lot of symmetry between what Kacey is going through and confronting with the kinds of songs that I like to write in Lawrence and that was not lost on me. I think it was a wonderful coincidence, or maybe it's part of why I got the job. I definitely noticed that the part of the character I had the most empathy for was her outward confidence and hidden well of insecurity. That's certainly something that I've written a lot about and that Clyde and I have written a lot about in Lawrence, specifically, our songs ‘i'm confident that i'm insecure’ or ‘Freckles.’ We're a band that is seven guys and one girl, and yet some of our songs have a very feminine lean. I think it's because I work with guys, and specifically my brother, who is so interested in my perspective, which is really lucky and fortunate.

In terms of the show, I think Kasey prides herself on her confidence and walking into any room and having things go her way or saying how she feels. But I think any person who is a fish out of water in a brand new environment, her entire worldview is about to be threatened. And so her confidence in herself, how she feels about anything, confidence in her own opinions, that's about to be threatened too, and all this insecurity that she's hidden for her whole life is inevitably going to peek through when she's around this new group of friends who see her for who she really is for the first time. That was relatable to me, and I'm happy to have that symmetry in the music that Clyde and I write, as well as this role, that I didn't have any part in writing, but am lucky enough to get to represent.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

The Sex Lives of College Girls has returned for season 3, and Essex College is welcoming some new hilarious stars. Premiering on Max on November 21, 2024, the new season sees Kimberly (Pauline Chalamet), Whitney (Alyah Chanelle Scott), Bela (Amrit Kaur), and, for part of the season, Leighton (Reneé Rapp) starting their sophomore year and befriending some incoming freshmen, one of which is played by rising star Mia Rodgers.

The British actress quickly stands out among the comedy series' talented cast as Taylor, a queer, first-year international student who doesn't make the best first impression on the main quartet. However, Rodgers is set to become a fan favorite as Taylor's witty, sarcastic personality wins the girls over. Below, read on for an introduction to rising comedy star Mia Rodgers.

Mia Rodgers is a British actress making her U.S. debut on 'The Sex Lives of College Girls.'

Rodgers is a rising star who recently graduated from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London. She's best known for small roles in television shows in her home country; she previously appeared in the 2018 ITV miniseries Trauma, set in a hospital's trauma unit, and an episode of the BBC legal comedy Defending the Guilty. She has also acted in two short films, Angels in the Asylum and Diary of a Ghost.

She had her first on-screen kiss on the first day of shooting 'The Sex Lives of College Girls.'

It sounds like Rodgers was thrown right into the deep end when it came to joining the raunchy college comedy. In an interview with TV Insider, the actress recalled her first day on the set of the Max series, where she had to "make out with a girl" at the start of her first scene.

"I remember my first scene on my first day. It was with Bela, but I was at a party, and before any form of dialogue I was kissing this girl, which was my first kiss on camera ever," she recalled to the outlet. "I was literally so nervous. It was in a room with 150 people, and I was like, Right, I've gotta have my first on-screen kiss, and I've gotta remember like six pages of dialogue. It's my first day. I'm literally terrified. But it was amazing and it obviously worked out really well."

Rodgers also described Taylor to the outlet as someone who's "very queer, very loud, very proud about it." The star also noted that she "gets into a lot" in her first semester at Essex.

"She's a complex character," Rodgers said. "She's very strong in who she is, which is amazing, but kind of unfaltering. That can sometimes come to her detriment. She can be quite defensive and come across a bit harsher than I think she actually is. And so throughout that season, you start to learn more about her and why she is the way she is, and that [defensiveness] slightly starts to melt away, weirdly enough, through her friendships and her dating life."

She thought she would be a singer before she discovered acting.

Speaking to WhoWhatWear, Rodgers revealed that she is a huge music and fashion fan, having grown up in a musical household and with parents who worked in the fashion industry. She also teased that, sometime soon, she may release a secret project.

"Music was big in my household and encouraged as a way to express yourself," she told the outlet. "It was my first love, and I thought I was going to become a professional singer until I discovered acting. It is the classic story of your school putting you in the musical because you can sing but soon realized acting was my future. That's why getting back into the performance and writing element of music has been so exciting over the past couple of years. I have a little project I am working on at the moment and hope to show the world soon."

If you're waiting impatiently for Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya to return in the third Dune film, HBO's latest must-watch TV series Dune: Prophecy is the answer to fill your Sunday-night appointment viewing. Set 10,000 years before the events of Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi film saga based on Frank Herbert's book series, the new show focuses on the rise of the Bene Gesserit—a sisterhood of "Truthsayers" assigned to each Great House of the Imperium to "help them sift truth from lies"—as they aim to influence Emperor Corrino and his royal family.

For the fantasy prequel, the six-episode series has gathered a female-led cast of award-winning actors and next-gen stars, from Game of Thrones and Succession alums to the leading ladies of Bridgerton. Read on to learn more about the stars of Dune: Prophecy.

The Bene Gesserit

Emily Watson as Mother Superior Valya Harkonnen

At the start of Dune: Prophecy, Valya Harkonnen explains via voiceover that her family and others who "share her blood" have been disgraced for generations, after her great-grandfather deserted the fight against the "thinking machines." In the series' present-day timeline, Valya is the current Mother Superior, who aims to grow the Bene Gesserit's influence and restore the Harkonnen name.

Emily Watson, 57, is a London-born Oscar-, Emmy-, and Golden Globe-nominated actress who began her career onstage and has appeared in dozens of movies, including 1996's Breaking the Waves; 1999's Angela's Ashes; 2001's Gosford Park; 2005's Corpse Bride; 2008's Synecdoche, New York; 2014's The Theory of Everything; and 2017's Kingsman: The Golden Circle. Her first collaboration with HBO was on the acclaimed miniseries Chernobyl.

Jessica Barden as Young Valya Harkonnen

30 years before the main timeline of Dune: Prophecy, Valya formed a deep bond with the former Mother Superior Raquella. While on her death bed, Raquella gave Valya an apocalyptic vision of Tiran-Arafel, "a holy judgment brought on by a tyrant," and urged her to "use every tool" to increase the Bene Gesserit's power. She's also the first to use the Voice, though it's implied that she learned from Raquella.

Jessica Barden, 32, is an English actress best known for starring as Alyssa in the cult-hit Netflix series The End of the F***ing World. Since her breakout role on the long-running soap Coronation Street in 2007, Barden has appeared in shows and films including 2011's Hanna, 2015's Far from the Madding Crowd and The Lobster, Showtime's Penny Dreadful, Netflix's Pieces of Her, and FX's Better Things and American Horror Stories.

Olivia Williams as Reverend Mother Tula Harkonnen

Valya's sister, Tula Harkonnen, helps lead the Bene Gesserit alongside the Mother Superior and teaches the younger members the arts of truth-telling and combat.

Olivia Williams, 56, is a British actress best known for playing Camilla Parker Bowles in the final two seasons of The Crown. After making her major film and TV debuts in ITV's Emma and 1997's The Postman, respectively, she went on to star in projects including 1998's Rushmore, 1999's The Sixth Sense, 2009's An Education, 2012's Anna Karenina, and HBO's The Nevers.

Emma Canning as Young Tula Harkonnen

Emma Canning, who plays young Tula, is an Irish stage and screen actress who graduated from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in 2019. She's had an impressive breakout year in 2024, appearing in prestige series including Apple TV+'s Masters of the Air and The New Look, and FX's Say Nothing along with Dune: Prophecy. Previously, she appeared in Netflix's The Irregulars and Sky Atlantic's Domina.

Jihae as Reverend Mother Kasha

Kasha Jinjo, who serves as Truthsayer for Emperor Corrino, is a longtime friend of Valya Harkonnen. She's played by Jihae, 35, who grew up in South Korea and began her entertainment career as a model and singer in the 2000s. After her first major acting role in the National Geographic miniseries Mars, she went on to appear in Netflix's Altered Carbon, as one of the many forms of Takeshi Kovacs, and in HBO's Succession, as Kendall's PR consultant Berry Schneider.

Yerin Ha as Young Kasha Jingo

Young Kasha Jingo is played by Yerin Ha, a soon-to-be superstar who will play Sophie Baek, Benedict Bridgerton's love interest, in the forthcoming Bridgerton season 4. The 29-year-old Korean-Australian actress previously played Kwan Ha in both seasons of Paramount+'s Halo.

Tabu as Sister Francesca

Sister Francesca is another longtime friend of the Harkonnens and a member of the Bene Gesserit. She is also a former lover of the Imperium's emperor.

Sister Francesca is played by Tabu, one of the most lauded Hindi actresses in India, and has also starred in films across the Telugu and Tamil film industries as well as Hollywood. The most notable projects among her nearly 100 film credits include Bollywood hits like 1996's Maachis, 1997's Virasat, 2001's Chandni Bar, 2003's Maqbool, 2006's The Namesake, 2007's Cheeni Kum, and 2014's Haider, and 2012's Life of Pi.

Charithra Chandran as Young Francesca

Bridgerton alum Charithra Chandran appears in the Dune: Prophecy series premiere as young Francesca. In addition to the Netflix hit, the 27-year-old British Tamil actress previously starred in Prime Video's Alex Rider and the recent Prime Video rom-com How to Date Billy Walsh. Next up, she's set to play Nefertari Vivi, a.k.a. Miss Wednesday, in season 2 of One Piece.

House Corrino

Mark Strong as Emperor Javicco Corrino

Emperor Javicco is the current leader of the Imperium, the galactic empire and world of the Dune franchise. (For Dune: Part 2 fans, this is the same position as Christopher Walken’s Emperor Shaddam IV.) The emperor is played by Mark Strong, a prolific and acclaimed British actor who has starred in films like 2007's Stardust, 2009's Sherlock Holmes, 2012's Zero Dark Thirty, the Kingsman film series, 2019's 1917, and 2022's Tár. He also recently played Carmine Falcone in HBO's The Penguin.

Jodhi May as Empress Natalya Corrino

With her marriage to Emperor Javicco, Empress Natalya united the galaxy in a time of peace. She's portrayed by Jodhi May, the youngest recipient of the Best Actress Award at the Cannes Film Festival, for 1988's A World Apart when she was 12. She later appeared in 1992's The Last of the Mohicans; 2012's I, Anna; HBO's Gentleman Jack; and BBC's Small Axe. She also dipped her toes into the fantasy genre with roles in Game of Thrones (as Maggy the Frog) and The Witcher (as Queen Calanthe).

Sarah-Sofie Boussnina as Princess Ynez Corrino

Princess Ynez, daughter of Javicco and Natalya and the only heir to the Corrino throne, plans to become a member of the Bene Gesserit. However, she finds herself in a complicated situation with her combat instructor Keiran Atreides.

Sarah-Sofie Boussnina, 33, is a Danish actress who previously starred in the Danish series 1864 and The Bridge, as well as The History Channel's Knightfall, and 2021's The Colony.

Josh Heuston as Constantine Corrino

Constantine Corrino is the illegitimate son of Emperor Javicco, who lives with the royal family and has a friendship with his half-sister Ynez. Corrino's often torn between following his personal goals or his father's approval.

Josh Heuston, 28, is an Australian actor and model who has appeared in campaigns for brands including Fendi, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Bumble. He made his acting debut in 2021 on the Australian series Dive Club before appearing in 2022's Thor: Love and Thunder and Netflix's Heartbreak High.

Chris Mason as Keiran Atreides

Keiran Atreides is the swordmaster and trainer for House Corrino, who has tons of sexual tension with his latest student, Princess Ynez. As you can guess by the name, he's the ancestor of Timothée Chalamet's Paul Atreides.

Chris Mason, 33, is a Liverpool-born actor who has held standout roles in several TV series, portraying Leo Humphries in ITV's Broadchurch and Chad Gekko in season 5 of Riverdale. His other notable projects include 2014's The Vampire Academy, Freeform's Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists, Bravo's Dirty John, and Peacock's Killing It.

Travis Fimmel as Desmond Hart

Desmond Hart is a soldier assumed dead during a mission on Arrakis, who returns to House Corrino as the sole survivor of an attack. The mysterious figure ingratiates himself with Emperor Javicco, but his motives are unknown.

Travis Fimmel is an Australian actor and model who rose to fame in the early '00s, appearing in music videos for Janet Jackson and Jennifer Lopez before starring in a notorious Calvin Klein ad. (Fun fact, he was rumored to be the inspiration for Sex and the City character Smith Jerrod.) As for his acting career, he's best known for playing Ragnar Lothbrok in the History Channel's Vikings, and he has also appeared in 2016's Warcraft, Max's Raised By Wolves, and Netflix's Boy Swallows Universe.

Spoilers for The Penguin's season finale ahead. If you're a fan of crime-noir TV who hasn't tuned in to The Penguin, you're truly missing out. On September 9, 2024, HBO premiered its limited series spinoff of 2022's The Batman, starring Robert Pattinson and Zoë Kravitz, which launched a new offshoot of DC Comics' famed superhero world. Just like The Batman carved its own lane as a refreshing, brutal neo-noir caper within the bloated superhero genre, The Penguin now gives Batman villain Oz Cobb (played by Colin Farrell under heavy prosthetics) a Scorcese-esque mobster epic. Set in the aftermath of Gotham's devastating flooding, it follows Oz and former Arkham inmate Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti) as they battle each other (and many other underworld gangs) for supremacy in a vulnerable city.

The Penguin wasn't ever going to be the end of Oz Cobb's story, as Farrell was already set to return in the 2026 sequel to The Batman before the series' airing. However, fans are also curious whether Oz and Sofia's stories will continue on the small screen. Below, read on for everything we know about a possible The Penguin season 2 so far.

Has 'The Penguin' been renewed for season 2?

HBO has not yet confirmed whether The Penguin will return for season 2, and the network likely will not share an official answer to the series' fate any time soon. For one, a new season of The Penguin would have to wait until after The Batman Part II arrives in 2026 since the sequel is already confirmed to continue Oz's story. In a post-finale interview with Entertainment Weekly, showrunner Lauren LeFranc confirmed that the final shot of The Penguin, which shows the Bat Signal shining above Gotham, is meant "to launch into [The Batman director Matthew Reeve's] second film."

Another big reason to expect a wait on The Penguin season 2 news is that the show was initially billed as a limited series. Nowadays, the moniker of a limited series is never set in stone (see Big Little Lies, The White Lotus, Shōgun, etc.)—but LeFranc and Reeves have acknowledged since the start of the series that any more episodes would depend on season 1's reception. Now that The Penguin is a certified hit with Emmy buzz, Reeves told EW that he's looking ahead to the series' future.

"We are, in a very preliminary way—me, Lauren, [Reeves' producing partner] Dylan [Clark], and Colin—starting to talk about what would be the way," Reeves told the outlet. "For me, what's really important is that we earn it. The idea of revisiting means that we have to keep that same bar. I know that none of us wants to go back and just do more. We want to go back and do something great. So that's what we're talking about now. We do believe that there's going to be something in there, but it's just beginning. It's exciting though. It's very gratifying."

When would 'The Penguin' season 2 be released?

Unfortunately for The Penguin fans, Reeves' Batman Epic Crime Saga (yes, that's what Reeves' franchise of shows and films is officially called) will likely have to focus on The Batman Part II before we get any news about season 2. The highly-anticipated film is currently set to release on October 2, 2026, and filming is scheduled to start in 2025. Based on that timeline, we could wait for new episodes of The Penguin until 2027.

How does 'The Penguin' set up 'The Batman Part II'?

Though The Penguin is a true standalone series that even viewers with no Batman knowledge can enjoy, Reeves and LeFranc did develop the series to serve as a bridge between 2022's The Batman and the upcoming sequel The Batman Part II. The series began just a week following the events of the 2022 film after the Riddler's terrorist attack destroyed Gotham's seawall and killed Carmine Falcone (played by John Turturro). Now knowing the ending of The Penguin, countless fans are speculating that Oz Cobb will be one of the major villains going up against Robert Pattinson's dark knight in the 2026 film.

The Penguin ends with former Falcone goon Oz Cobb now the kingpin of Gotham's criminal underworld, after a season-long gang war against the city's biggest mob families. In the season finale, he framed his main opposition Sofia Falcone for all of the crimes both he and she committed throughout the season, sending her back to Arkham State Hospital just a few weeks after she'd been released. Oz has risen to his biggest heights—quite literally as he now lives in a penthouse with his comatose mother (Deirdre O’Connell) who hates him. He's also cemented himself as the absolute worst after he viciously strangled his loyal lackey Victor Aguilar (Rhenzy Feliz) to death.

However, there are some signs that Oz's rise is only temporary. Back in Arkham, Sofia receives a letter from Selina Kyle, a.k.a. Catwoman (Zoë Kravitz), hoping to connect; as fans now know, the women are half-sisters. The two rogues' team-up and potential revenge plot against Oz depends on when Sofia is released from Arkham. Someone else could their hands on Oz much sooner, too.

The season ends with the telltale Bat signal in the sky, showing that the Bat will soon return to take Oz down. (Where he's been, we'll hopefully learn in The Batman Part II.) Speaking to EW, LeFranc explained, "I very much liked the idea of the Batman undercutting the strange, delusional scenario that Oz created for himself at the end, to merit all of his previous actions and to say, 'I finally made it.' And then for us to say, 'Maybe not. Maybe you haven't.'"

Who in the cast would return for 'The Penguin' season 2?

The returning cast for The Penguin season 2 would depend on who makes it out of The Batman II alive, but as of The Penguin's season finale, the main cast members who could return include Colin Farrell (Oz Cobb), Cristin Milioti (Sofia Falcone Gigante), Deirdre O’Connell (Francis Cobb), Theo Rossi (Dr. Rush), and Carmen Ejogo (Eve Karlo). While some fans may have been hopeful Oz's betrayal of Vic was a fever dream, Feliz has confirmed that his character is dead and won't return.

Farrell has been very open about sharing his thoughts on returning for a second season throughout The Penguin's run. In September before the series' airing, he made headlines when he confessed during a Total Film interview that he hated wearing the head-to-toe prosthetics that came with his Oz Cobb transformation. "Don’t get me wrong—I loved it—but it got in on me a little bit. By the end of it, I was bitching and moaning to anyone who would listen to me that I fucking wanted it to be finished," he said of filming the series, adding, "When I finished I was like, 'I never want to put that fucking suit and that fucking head on again.'"

However, speaking with The Hollywood Reporter for the season 1 finale, Farrell clarified that he would be open to returning for the right story, especially after the series was so well received. "If there’s a great idea [for season 2], and the writing was really muscular and as strong or stronger on the page than it was the first season, of course I would do it," he told the outlet.

Farrell isn't the only cast member who has teased that they'd be up to return for more Penguin. In an interview with Esquire, Milioti revealed that she'd like to reprise her role as Sofia Gigante. When asked what roles she would like to play in the future, she said, “I would love to play Sofia again, but I would also be so interested in—I mean, this is off the top of my head.... I will say that watching Colin in prosthetics made me be like, 'I want to try that.' It’s so brutal. What a brutal way to start your morning. It’s three hours every day. But I was like, 'Ooh, I want to do that. I want to try that one time.'"

Even if you've never used a kitchen a day in your life—aside from microwaving freezer meals or storing sweaters in your oven like Sex and the City's Carrie Bradshaw—odds are you've watched a cooking show. Food-based shows are a staple of feel-good comfort TV—and not just for people who want recipes elevated beyond the odd YouTube tutorial. Bingeworthy reality cooking and baking shows can offer thrilling competitions, gorgeous travelogues, astute historical and social analysis, and the ultimate cozy vibes, all as viewers fall in love with the personalities that show us why food can be a passion and a calling.

Luckily for fans who want to dive deeper into culinary content, most of the world's best cooking shows are available on streaming services including Netflix, Max, Hulu, and Peacock. Below, we've rounded up a wide-ranging selection of the best cooking shows to watch... though maybe not on an empty stomach. (If you're looking for more cooking shows on Netflix, we've got you covered.)

'Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown' (2013–2018)

The late chef Anthony Bourdain starred in several series over his career, but Parts Unknown is his landmark show that inspired many other global food shows. In each episode, Bourdain travels to a new location, from Sicily to Vietnam to Iran, and explores much more than the country's food. His best episodes give a snapshot of the city or country, exploring the region's history and giving viewers a closer look at the locals' daily lives. (If you're in the mood for lighter conversations, there's also his series No Reservations for a more comedic feel.)

WATCH ON MAX

'Barbecue Showdown' (2020– )

What if The Great British Baking Show was in the U.S. and focused on grilling the perfect steak rather than baking the perfect pastry? This fun Netflix series brings eight grill masters together in a series of challenges, to show their talent in cooking meat and sides. If you've ever been intimidated out of getting behind the grill, let this show prove that anyone can do it.

WATCH ON NETFLIX

'Barefoot Contessa: Back to Basics' (2008–2021)

With Barefoot Contessa, Ina Garten brings home cooking back to its roots: accessibility, entertainment, and comfort. Each episode follows the cookbook author and "queen of Thanksgiving" as she gives clear, jargon-free demonstrations of delicious recipes perfect for entertaining. Whether you're following along while cooking for a dinner party or just sinking into the culinary equivalent of ASMR, this show demonstrates why cooking can be a source of joy.

WATCH ON MAX

'Blue Ribbon Baking Championship' (2024– )

This new baking competition gives major Great British Bake Off vibes but stands out for its inventiveness. As the title hints, the theme of this series is the state/county fair, in which home bakers have competed for baking bragging rights for over a century. Hosted by Jason Biggs—who put a moratorium on American Pie jokes—and Sandra Lee, BRBC gathers 10 bakers from across the country to put their skills to the test in themed challenges, judged by Lee, Bryan Ford, and Bill Yosses. The bakes in each episode take the fair-food theme to the next level, from illusion cakes shaped like knitwear and snow cones to a handheld bar of potato candy.

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'Chef's Table' (2015–2024)

This Emmy-nominated docuseries leans into the cinematography of food, turning dishes into works of art. Each season follows a group of award-winning chefs who are redefining the global culinary landscape in their own ways, by establishing themselves as visionaries or honoring and amplifying their cultural heritage. Meanwhile, Chef's Table's many spinoffs (including Pastry, Pizza, BBQ, and the upcoming Noodles) focus on chefs who specialize in a certain dish discipline, showing how one subset of the food industry is reinvented and celebrated across the globe.

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'The Chef Show' (2019–2020)

Remember the 2014 movie Chef, in which actor/filmmaker Jon Favreau played a chef who quit his restaurant job to run a food truck with Sofía Vergara? This Netflix series puts the Iron Man director back in the kitchen alongside his real-life friend Roy Choi, as they make meals for fellow chefs and famous friends. If the easygoing approach to cooking isn't fun enough, this is also the show where Gwyneth Paltrow famously revealed that she had no memory of one of her MCU appearances. (Tom Holland and Robert Downey Jr. also appear in the docuseries.)

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'Chopped' (2009– )

This longrunning competition show has four professional chefs face off in a multi-course format, where one contestant is "chopped" after each course until just one winner remains. The chefs must incorporate mystery ingredients into their 30-minute meals, ranging from durian to candy corn to reindeer pâté. After over 60 seasons(!), Chopped viewers have seen a bit of everything.

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'Cooking With Paris' (2021)

This one-season show hosted by pop culture's most famous heiress may be the most underrated celebrity cooking show. For six wild episodes, Paris Hilton invites a selection of famous friends to her home to make one of her imaginative recipes that embody both Hilton's signature flair and the show's ethos that "anyone can cook." (Sorry Paris, "sliving" didn't stick.) The episodes combine a "stars are just like us" charm with the immense relatability of a cooking challenge that's a bit outside of your skill set (plus a good dose of horror at the thought of ingesting one of the stones on Hilton's bling-encrusted cooking utensils).

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'Crime Scene Kitchen' (2021– )

Despite the title, this competition is not a Gordon-Ramsay-true-crime mashup (though imagine what that would be!). Instead, the Fox hit hosted by Joel McHale has a very cool concept: Baker teams have to investigate the aftermath of a baking session and recreate whatever was made, based only on whatever crumbs, streaks, half-empty containers, and used cooking instruments are left. This series is an absolute must-watch for anyone whose cooking show binges involve playing armchair chef and yelling their knowledge at the screen.

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'Culinary Class Wars' (2024– )

This South Korean competition—best described as Physical: 100 but cooking—gathers 100 chefs to battle it out for culinary dominance, with an added "class" aspect as already widely famous chefs duke it out against up-and-coming talents. Like Netflix's other Korean reality shows, what makes this show stand out is the thoughtful gameplay—from five-hour cooking marathons centered on one ingredient to surprise twists in hidden rooms—and the lovable personalities among the stacked cast. Plus, judges Paik Jong-won and Ahn Sung-jae's discussions on whether variables from varietal skill to nostalgia affect their deliberations are super fascinating.

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'The Great British Baking Show' (2017– )

The Great British Baking Show—or Bake Off if you're an Anglophile—is among the most popular baking shows right now, and for good reason. Since 2010 (Netflix only has episodes from 2017 forward), dozens of the U.K.'s most talented amateur bakers have competed in themed weekly challenges to show their skill and share their love of baking. GBBO has gone through its rough patches—we do not speak of Mexican Week—but the best part of watching is following each year's bakers as they support each other through the often high-stress competition.

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'High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America' (2021–2023)

In this important docuseries, food writer Stephen Satterfield explores the ancestry of Black food and culinary traditions, as he travels from West Africa to rural Southern communities speaking with renowned chefs and food historians. Much of Black history is passed down through oral traditions and kept within insular communities; with High on the Hog, Satterfield documents this legacy of culinary invention, while honoring the ancestors who contributed to some of the country's most popular foods. If you love soul food, this is an essential watch to understand its history.

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'Iron Chef America' (2005–2018)

In the '90s, the Japanese series Iron Chef became a cult hit when episodes began airing on Cooking Channel in the States. The U.S. version might not have the at times hilarious dubbing, but it retains the original's rules: A new challenger faces off against one of the show's star Iron Chefs in the Kitchen Stadium, to see who can cook the better meal using a theme ingredient. (Netflix subscribers can also check out their 2022 revival, Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend.)

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'Julia Child: The French Chef' (1963–1973)

Thanks to the streaming era and a bit of archival magic, we can watch Julia Child's original cooking show. Before Martha Stewart, Rachael Ray, or Ina Gerten, Child revolutionized TV by making French cuisine accessible and inspiring generations of women to cook. (The entire series is also available on YouTube.)

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'MasterChef Junior' (2013– )

There have been many iterations of MasterChef over the past 34 years, but MasterChef Junior remains iconic for giving child virtuoso chefs the spotlight. It's objectively amazing to watch children between the ages of 8 and 13 pull off culinary feats that even adults watching at home would have trouble with, and the friendships that form among the cast can be even more adorable than the most memorable GBBO season. Sure, legendary-yet-controversial host Gordon Ramsey is still there, but he manages to reign in the cursing around the kids, making this the show for people who like their cooking competitions with marginally less yelling.

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'Nailed It!' (2018– )

Another show that turns culinary challenges beyond a baker's skill set into the ultimate experience in relatability, Nailed It! seeks out truly amateur home bakers and tasks them with recreating complicated bakes. (In other words: This is the only baking show I could compete in at my current skill level!) It's refreshing to watch a cooking show where failure is not only expected but the point and host Nicole Byer makes sure that the jokes about the contestants' failures are never mean to the contestants themselves. We love a show where everyone involved isn't afraid to laugh at themselves.

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'Salt Fat Acid Heat' (2018)

Based on host Samin Nosrat's 2017 cookbook of the same name, this excellent travel show follows the chef on a global exploration of her four cornerstones of cooking: salt, fat, acid, heat. Each of the first three episodes takes Nosrat to a different country, where she works with practitioners specializing in one of the titular elements—i.e. exploring the origins of fatty cheese, olive oil, and pork in Italy. For the final episode, the host returns to her home in Northern California to play with heat and bring her cookbook to life, showing how all four elements come together to make a delicious home-cooked meal.

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'Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy' (2021–2022)

What sounds better than traveling through Italy and dining on mouth-watering dishes with the eternally suave Stanley Tucci? In this short-lived travel series, the Julie & Julia actor and cookbook author channels his love of Italian food and culture into a dreamy exploration of the less tourist-filled corners of the country. In addition to being a charming host, Tucci offers some history on each region, meaning your couch-bound tour of Italy can be gorgeous and educational.

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'Top Chef' (2006– )

Top Chef is the model of a modern cooking show: Each season, a group of chefs from a different U.S. city compete in weekly challenges to avoid elimination and become the last chef standing, $250,000 richer. The Bravo series is also an institution, with a dedicated fan base and a history of former contestants who become award-winning stars in their own right post-show. Whether you go back to the beginning or tune in on the latest season, led by new host (and former winner) Kristen Kish, Top Chef is guaranteed to thrill viewers with heart-racing displays of cooking excellence.

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Ugly Delicious (2018–2020)

In this irreverent docuseries, Momofuku founder (and former Bourdain collaborator) David Chang puts his spin on the culinary travel show. Chang's take includes multiple celebrity guest stars, inserts of food-related pop culture clips, and smart debates on topics surrounding cultural fusion, racism in elitist food culture, and tradition versus innovation. After binging shows like Chef's Table that elevate the food industry to elite art forms, it's nice to watch a show purely focused on passionate foodies discussing their comfort foods.

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In the finale of Industry season 3, Eric Tao (Ken Leung) tries to lift the spirits of the Pierpoint & Co. employees after the company is sold to Egyptian investors. He quotes the Denis Johnson short story "The Largesse of the Sea Maiden," saying, "Money tames the beast. Money is peace. Money is civilization. The end of the story is money." While his musings only enrage the traders, whose London office is about to be shuttered, he speaks to the themes of the incredible finale of the must-watch TV series: "The end of the story is always money."

In the final installment of the HBO hit's better-than-ever season (which wrapped up on Sunday, September 29), the core characters who began as juniors on the Pierpoint floor all bought into money, security, and the kind of dealings that fit within their realm of ethics. A lot happened, though, between Harper (Myha'la), Yasmin (Marisa Abela), Robert (Harry Lawtey), and their former coworkers as their old employer imploded and they continued to move on with other ventures and propositions. So, below, we're breaking down what happened in the Industry season 3 finale, which seems to set up the forthcoming season 4.

What happened to Pierpoint in the 'Industry' season 3 finale?

Industry may have started centered around the wheelings and dealings of the fictional bank Pierpoint & Co.'s London office, but that ends up being no more by the season 3 finale. The bank is officially sold to Egyptian investment firm Al-Mi’raj—a sale Eric encourages—majorly selling out after spending too much on "ethical investing."

Eric attempts to bolster morale among the staff about the new Al-M’iraj Pierpoint in a speech about the power of the market and Pierpoint's history of change, but they see right through him. Al-M’iraj then proves to axe the London office, leaving Eric without a job but sitting pretty as he gets a $20 million buyout. In the process, he screwed over his terminally ill friend and former colleague Bill (Trevor White) but came out with a better deal than he ever could—effectively taking a snakey, self-ish note from his mentee, Harper.

What happens to Harper in the 'Industry' season 3 finale?

Harper attempts to make big off of the Pierpoint sale at her company with Petra Koenig (Sarah Goldberg), Leviathan Alpha, but it doesn't go as planned. She learns that Petra stood by her ethics and stopped their short before the two made an exorbitant amount of money. They have a conversation about agreeing not to make any more "unilateral decisions," but Harper seems underwhelmed by their work together. She brings over ex-Pierpoint staffers Sweetpea (Miriam Petche) and Anraj (Irfan Shamji), largely in a move to upset Rishi (Sagar Radia) after he contributed to her firing at Pierpoint. She embarrasses him by bringing him into the Leviathan Alpha office but not giving him a job, leaving him nowhere to go after Al-M’iraj interfered with his former employer.

When she ultimatley becomes bored by her professional life (which has become entwined with her personal), she decides playing it safe was never her game and starts her own venture. With Otto Mostyn's (Roger Barclay) backing, she'll launch an all-shorts fund, going after failing businesses, and be based out of N.Y.C.—returning home to the place she's long avoided.

She also reconnects with Eric, calling him to thank him for the quote he gave for her Forbes 30 Under 30 feature. In his phone as "Harpsichord," there's still warmth between the mentor and mentee, who have learned a lot from each other this past season, even if they no longer share the same desk.

What happens to Rishi in the 'Industry' season 3 finale?

After Rishi gets humiliated by Harper, he faces the grueling consequences of his gambling addiction. He comes home to find the loan shark he thought was his friend, Vinay (Asim Chaudhry), at the kitchen table with his wife Diana (Emily Barber), demanding the millions he's owed. When Diana realizes how much money her husband has lost, Vinay shoots and kills her in the show's most dramatic, thriller-like moment to date.

It's the last we see of Rishi in season 3, but it seems to set up a dicey future for him. Darkness was already looming around the choices he's made professionally and with his addiction, and it seems he'll continue to show the confines of what corrupt men in finance can or cannot get away with.

Why did Yasmin get engaged to Henry Muck in the 'Industry' season 3 finale?

For much of season 3, Yasmin tried to push against the narrative that she had been living off the money her father embezzled through Hanani Publishing. By the end of season 3, she chooses money in what she sees as the most secure way possible.

When Yas joins Rob on a road trip as he interviews for a psilocybin start-up, she suggests they change course on the way back to stop by Henry Muck's (Kit Harington) uncle Lord Norton's (Andrew Havill) estate. She says Henry invited them and neglects to tell Rob that she contacted Henry, hoping they could reconnect. What was meant to be a brief visit—in which Henry tells the two that he's dedicating his life to public service—turns into a weekend stay over Norton's birthday.

Over the weekend, Yas asks media mogul Norton to stop his tabloids from unfairly covering her and the lawsuits against her father's company. He tells her what she's always needed to hear: that her late father's vile, manipulative behavior had nothing to do with her.

"I am fiercely protective of my family, and I always use my not insubstantial power to protect them," he says at one point. "But then again, life is about the family you choose." It's something that Yas takes to heart and listens to, as Norton essentially makes a deal with her that he'll use his power to stop the bad press and economic windfall against her if she gets back together with Henry.

After one thing leads to another, Yas and Rob passionately hook up on the estate grounds—and she delivers on her word that she's good at making people think she's in love with them. Shortly after, in the most devastating moment of the finale, Yas proposes to Henry that they should get engaged. The scene in which they agree to tie the knot flips between her conversation with Henry and Lord Norton's birthday dinner when they share the news. Rob looks stunned but exchanges a look with Yas in which he seems to express that he understands; she appears somewhat remorseful like she wishes he could have stopped her from deciding what she felt she had to.

Having lost her job at Pierpoint and dealing with the problems left in her father's wake, a marriage of convenience seems like the best option for Yas.

With its third season, Industry became better than ever and solidified itself as a must-watch TV series. The HBO hit about a group of junior traders at the London office of Pierpoint & Co. expanded even further beyond the walls of the bank, as staffers Yasmin (Marisa Abela) andRobert (Harry Lawtey), and alum Harper (Myha'la) were no longer quite so junior and with many nefarious dealings on their hands.

By the end of Industry season 3, Pierpoint had gone up in flames and was transformed into Al-M’iraj Pierpoint in a major sale, leaving multiple people without jobs or with new ones, and even a shocking engagement of convenience on the table. With more surprises in the season 3 finale than in a downturned market, it leads fans to wonder where the show could be going next. Below, we're breaking down everything to know about Industry season 4.

Has 'Industry' been renewed for season 4?

Yes! HBO has wheeled and dealed and ordered another season of Industry. Variety reported the acclaimed financial drama had been renewed for season 4 before the season 3 finale even aired, announcing the news in mid-September 2024.

At the time, the series creators Mickey Down and Konrad Kay shared a statement. "We are beyond thrilled and grateful to HBO, the incredible team at Bad Wolf and our phenomenal cast and crew for their continued belief in Industry and for allowing us to grow as creators, writers and now directors whilst taking the show to new heights," said the showrunners. "We can’t wait to dive deeper and deliver the best season yet in season 4."

With the show receiving rave reviews this season and more eyes on it than ever—as Variety points out that viewership is up 40 percent this season and averaging 1.6 million views per episode—a renewal was all but inevitable.

When will 'Industry' season 4 be released?

Get ready to clock back in! In late November, HBO confirmed via a press release that Industry season 4 will premiere on Sunday, January 11. As with nearly all HBO series, the show will premiere with one episode and its eight-episode season will air weekly.

Who in the 'Industry' cast will return for season 4?

The core ensemble of Industry may no longer be junior employees on the floor of Pierpoint & Co., but the show will continue to follow their careers. In season 4, we'll see more of Harper (Myha’la) and Yasmin (Marisa Abela). The show has also seen Harper remain somewhat of a mentee to her former boss Eric (Ken Leung), so even though he's no longer at Pierpoint, we'd bet the next season will see where he lands.

There is one core cast member who won't be returning for season 4: Harry Lawtey, who plays Robert. Deadline reported in February 2025 that the British actor exited the series "due to scheduling conflicts." Industry was Lawtey's breakout role, making him a fan-favorite character in the financial drama, so it's safe to say viewers are bummed we won't be able to see the next chapter in Rob's story.

In a mid-March interview with The Telegraph, Lawtey opened up more about his decision to leave the series. The actor revealed that he and the Industry writers agreed that Rob's story had concluded. He explained, "Ultimately, I feel like I’m in a place where I’ve said everything I had to say with a character, and I think both me and the writers felt mutually happy with where we left him."

Lawtey revealed that Rob's storyline ending was essentially written into the season 3 finale. "There was actually a stage direction after my final line, in my final scene of the show, which literally read: ‘On Robert—transformation complete.’ And that sat really well with me," he shared. "Now I feel unmoored, but in a really good way. And ready for the next chapter."

Lawtey's exit is not unlike when David Jonsson, who played Gus in seasons 1 and 2, left. Jonsson has since led major movies like Alien: Romulus, and has more buzzy roles to come, like in Colman Domingo's directorial debut Scandalous!. Lawtey, meanwhile, was among the cast in Joker: Folie à Deux and has more projects booked, so Industry has become a bit of a talent incubator. We'll miss them (but are excited to see what they do next)!

With Lawtey exiting, other characters are getting more screen time. Season 3 introduced a few new characters who have become key players: Henry Muck (Kit Harington) and Petra Koenig (Sarah Goldberg). With Yasmin engaged to Henry, Harington will return and has been upped to a series regular. As for Petra, Harper left their successful joint venture Leviathan Alpha, so it's unclear whether we'll see more of her but it seems unlikely as there's been no news of her role. Otto Mostyn (Roger Barclay), the financier who supported Leviathan, is still working with Harper, though, so he may pop up now and then.

It's been confirmed that Sweetpea (Miriam Petche) will return since Harper brought her to Leviathan Alpha. In hiring the former Pierpoint juniors, Harper swindled Rishi (Sagar Radia) into unemployment, since he thought she was hiring him as well. While his fate seemed rather unclear by the end of the season—now that his gambling addiction led to one of his associates murdering his wife—he's also set to be back. He may not be at Pierpoint or Leviathan, so we suspect we'll see what consequences he must face in the coming episodes.

An interesting name that floated at the end of season 3 was Jesse Bloom, the hedge fund manager who used to be one of Harper's clients. It's revealed that he's been released from prison, piquing Harper's interest. With her planning on returning to New York (more on that below), perhaps Jay Duplass will reprise his role as the smarmy billionaire.

Are there any new cast members in 'Industry' season 4?

You bet! In February 2025, Variety reported that a new addition is set to join Industry season 4. Max Minghella, best known for playing Commander Nick Blaine on The Handmaid's Tale (for which he earned an Emmy nomination), is now among the cast. He's set to play Whitney Halberstram, who Variety reported is "the CFO and Founder of Tender, a payment processor entering a growth phase."

More casting news followed just one month later. Deadline reported in March 2025 that Kiernan Shipka (a.k.a. Miss Sally Draper from Mad Men herself and more recently of The Last Showgirl), Jack Farthing (Poldark, Spencer), Toheeb Jimoh (Ted Lasso), and Amy James-Kelly (Everyone Else Burns) are also joining the cast. Like Minghella, each newcomer received a character description.

According to Deadline, Shipka will play Haley Clay, "an executive assistant at payment processor Tender," or Minghella's character's company; Farthing is set to portray one of Henry's friends, Edward Smith, who is described as a "troublemaker;" Jimoh will play Kwabena Bannerman, a "trader at Mostyn Asset Management;" and James-Kelly will portray Jennifer Bevan, "the newly promoted Minister in the Labour government."

It seems season 4 will be the biggest Industry season yet. Several other notable names were cast in late March. Variety reported that comedic actor Kal Penn (Harold & Kumar movies, House), Stranger Things star Charlie Heaton, and British star Claire Forlani (Meet Joe Black, Basquiat) have joined the ensemble. Their characters were also revealed.

Penn seems to be playing Minghella's business partner, as his role as Jay Jonah Atterbury is said to be the "CEO and founder of payment processor Tender." Heaton and Forlani, meanwhile, seem to play characters from a slightly different world. Heaton's role is Jim Dycker, "a finance journalist," and Forlani is portraying "corporate PR heavy-hitter" Cordelia Hanani-Spyrka.

What will 'Industry' season 4 be about?

When HBO announced the season 4 premiere date, it also released an official logline. It reads: "At the top of their game and living the lives they set out to have as Pierpoint grads, Harper and Yasmin are drawn into a high-stakes, globetrotting cat-and-mouse game when a splashy fintech darling bursts onto the London scene. As Yasmin navigates her relationship with tech founder Sir Henry Muck and Harper is pulled into the orbit of enigmatic executive Whitney Halberstram (Max Minghella), their twisted friendship begins to warp and ignite under the pressure of money, power, and the desire to be on top."

The way season 3 ended—with Pierpoint sold and now to be renamed Al-M’iraj Pierpoint, and all of the show's key players no longer employed by the bank—the show certainly set up new opportunities for its characters and a new setting in the U.S. As fans may remember, the last installment concluded with Harper planning to launch a new N.Y.C.-based all-shorts fund with financing help from Otto Mostyn. We'll have to see if she can finally put her anger toward her past employer behind her, or if she'll find a new scheme to get revenge.

Eric also has a wide open chapter: Having been asked to step down from Pierpoint and given a hefty exit package, he could go anywhere. It seems likely that the Penny to his Don Draper will reteam.

The showrunners have also teased that the show will feature the U.S. in some capacity. Doing so will uncover more about the past Harper has been running from. Case in point, Down hinted to Variety that the series hasn't "shown what is so awful about America [for Harper]."

Down and Kay also spoke to GQ about how much the forthcoming installment may or may not focus on the U.S. versus the U.K. "It’s an American-effected show because we grew up watching those shows and obviously it follows several American characters. There is something about London and, especially in the last season, our exploration of London, and in particular London high society, which I think is unique to this show, and I would hate to lose," Down said. "And I think there are other shows that have done similar things in the U.S., but there is nothing in the U.K., which feels real and authentic and is actually giving you a sort of a firsthand, I would say, insight into that world. And I think that’s probably what you do for season 4."

Is there a trailer for 'Industry' season 4?

Oh, boy, is there ever? For a Christmas treat, HBO dropped the season 4 trailer of Industry in late December, and it's a doozy! If you thought the coked-out binges and office hookups at the start of the show were wild, it looks like the upcoming episodes may be more unhinged than ever.

The visual begins with Eric telling Harper, "We might be standing on the verge of something great, but the work is ugly. It’s anti-status quo, anti-establishment, anti-power." Inevitably, she responds, "Which part of that is meant to be a problem for us?"

It seems as though the two are teaming up to investigate and take down Tender, which just so happens to be the company that Yasmin's husband, Henry, has been tapped to be the new face of. If that doesn't sound messy enough, there's a finance journalist on everyone's tail, trysts between coworkers and enemies, shifting power dynamics in Yas and Henry's marriage, extravagant parties, and lots of clips of nights out in the club. At the end of the trailer, Yas says, "Who's in?" We very much are!

If you're dying to see more, there's also a teaser available. It has everything: dance floor make-outs, mysterious figures jumping out of windows, fist fights on private jets, bloodied hands driving luxury convertibles, mirrors seemingly broken in a fit of rage, and passionate embraces between newly weds outside of their luxurious estates. It's all set to the sound of Nine Simone's "Lilac Wine," adding to the mood.

The only dialogue in the teaser is between Yas and Harper. "Will you look after me tonight," the Brit asks her American bestie. "When the fuck are you going to look after me?" she responds. Yas's answer? "Tonight." We can't wait to see how that—and the rest of the season's impending melodrama—plays out.

Summer 2024 saw the release of House of the Dragon season 2, kicking off the Dance of the Dragons. (Sort of.) After airing over two months, the Game of Thrones spinoff concluded with the anticlimactic season 2 finale, capping off an installment that served more as the second prelude to the epic Targaryen civil war. Sure, the war between the Greens and the Blacks did officially start, with its first major battle at Rook's Rest culminating in the death of one main character and the mutilation of another. But HotD thus far has spent more time setting the stage for epic conflicts than actually showing them.

Luckily for bloodthirsty fans, that's all set to change in House of the Dragon season 3, which was greenlit by HBO days before season 2 even premiered. Read on for everything we know about season 3 so far, including how long we'll have to wait for more dragonfire.

When will 'House of the Dragon' season 3 come out?

House of the Dragon season 3 isn't expected to hit our screens until at least 2026. This would follow the pattern of the previous two installments, which premiered on HBO in August 2022 and June 2024, respectively. Plus, season 2 arrived right on schedule; despite the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes pausing most of Hollywood, HotD is a British series that was able to continue filming with no delays. So it officially takes two years to deliver another round of Targaryen-filled episodes.

While a release date is still far off, we do know that work on season 3 is already underway. In May 2024, showrunner Ryan Condal told Entertainment Weekly that the show's team was already "deep into" writing season 3, should HBO renew it. Following the season 2 finale, Condal revealed in a press conference that cameras will start rolling on new episodes in early 2025, per Variety.

When will 'House of the Dragon' end?

Following the season 2 finale, showrunner Ryan Condal dropped some surprising news about House of the Dragon during a virtual press conference, per The Hollywood Reporter. In response to speculation on how long the series will last, Condal revealed that House of the Dragon will end with season 4, making the spinoff half the length of its eight-season predecessor Game of Thrones. (Though, considering how contentious those final GoT seasons are, this could be a blessing.)

"I think it’s four,” Condal said of the series' length, before noting that the overall plan for the rest of the show was mapped out after the first season, per THR. He also shared that season 3 will likely also consist of eight episodes.

Condal had already hinted that HotD could end sooner rather than later while speaking to Entertainment Weekly last May.

"You certainly don't want to rush to get to an end, but you also don't want to overstay your welcome," he told the outlet. "You want to find this very satisfying place to go out that ties up enough loose ends and leaves others intentionally open because, as we know, this history marches on for another 150 years to Daenerys."

Which cast members will return for 'House of the Dragon' season 3?

HBO has yet to announce the official cast list, but here's everyone still standing at the end of season 2: For the Blacks, there's Matt Smith (Daemon Targaryen), Emma D’Arcy (Rhaenyra), Steve Toussaint (Corlys Velaryon), Harry Collett (Jacaerys Targaryen), Bethany Antonia (Baela Targaryen), Phoebe Campbell (Rhaena Targaryen), Sonoya Mizuno (Mysaria), and Tom Taylor (Cregan Stark). Meanwhile, the Greens have Olivia Cooke (Alicent Hightower), Fabien Frankel (Ser Criston Cole), Matthew Needham (Larys Strong), Tom Glynn-Carney (Aegon Targaryen), Ewan Mitchell (Aemond Targaryen), Phia Saban (Helaena Targaryen), Jefferson Hall (Tyland and Jason Lannister), and Rhys Ifans (Otto Hightower), who finally made an appearance in the finale after disappearing for half the season.

Of season 2's new additions, it's most likely that Kieran Bew (Hugh Hammer), Tom Bennett (Ulf), Clinton Liberty (Addam of Hull), and Abubakar Salim (Alyn of Hull) would return. The rest of the cast will depend on where the series takes us, but hopefully season 3 can swing by Harrenhal to bring back Simon Russell Beale (Ser Simon Strong) and Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin) as well.

Who are the new cast members joining 'House of the Dragon' season 3?

As season 3 heads toward production, HBO has announced the first new cast member to join House of the Dragon. Per Variety, Happy Valley and Little Women star James Norton will play Ormund Hightower, "Otto’s nephew, Alicent and Gwayne’s cousin, and the Lord of Oldtown." Season 3 will be the onscreen debut of the character, who was mentioned throughout season 2, and "is presently leading the Hightower host in a march on King’s Landing to support his house against Rhaenyra."

One highly-anticipated casting yet to come is for Daeron Targaryen, Alicent's youngest son, and younger brother to Aegon, Helaena, and Aemond. As of the start of season 3, Daeron is also marching alongside the Hightower army, or should we say, riding his new dragon, Tessarion.

What will 'House of the Dragon' season 3 be about?

Spoilers for the House of the Dragon season 2 finale ahead. The season 2 finale (which could also have served as a season 3 premiere, tbh) laid the road for some epic battles heading into season 3. Queen Rhaenyra officially has the most dragons, after the Sowing of the Seeds recruited dragonriders Hugh Hammer, Ulf the White, and Addam of Hull claiming their own winged nukes. Prince Jace is nervous about giving these wild cards such power, and readers know he isn't wrong to be worried (even though the whole "mongrels" bit is a horrible look). Rhaenyra and Daemon's youngest kids are on a ship bound for Pentos, while Rhaena snuck away to claim a wild sheep-stealing dragon; Hand of the Queen Corlys and his illegitimate son Alyn are also setting sail to defend the blockade in the Gullet. And in the show's most mystical twist so far, Daemon is fully Team Rhaenyra after Alys Rivers and Helaena(!) showed him a "Winter is Coming" vision, complete with a Dany cameo.

Meanwhile, Prince Regent Aemond is scrambling after realizing the Blacks have more dragon power. Hand of the King Criston and his army are on the move, but they're no help unless it's a land-based battle. Aemond asks Helaena to ride her dragon, but she doesn't want to "burn anyone," so she rebuffs him, asking if he'll burn her like he did Aegon. Alicent, who is completely over the whole "trapped in a prison of her own making" thing, plans to flee King's Landing with Heleana, and she even agrees with Rhaenyra's deal: a son for a son. However, the severely-wounded Aegon has fled King's Landing (whether he'd likely be killed by either Rhaenyra or Aemond) for Pentos, accompanied by Larys. Oh also, unknown to everyone, Tyland Lannister has succeeded in bringing the Triarchy (the pirate army that Daemon and co. fought in early season 1) over to the Greens' side.

Basically, as hinted by Ramin Djawadi's epic score, there are a ton of battles on the horizon. (We'll just have to wait two years.) Fire & Blood readers know some of what's in store: The Battle of the Gullet will likely happen in the season 3 premiere, where Corlys will think he's only going up against the Lannister navy and instead be met with the Triarchy. Some other battles to anticipate for the spoiler-prone: Rhaenyra's plan to attack King's Landing, the Butcher's Ball, the First Battle of Tumbleton, and maybe even the Battle Above the God’s Eye.

Per THR, Condal has heard fan's criticisms of season 2's anticlimactic finale, and he's promising that once these battles arrive, they'll have a huge impact. During the August 5 press conference, the showrunner said the decision to push the Battle of the Gullet to season three came down to how big the show could go.

“One of the things that came into play in season two is: What is the final destination of the series and where are we going? It was a combination of factors that led us to rebalance the season knowing now where we’re going. … we are trying to give The Gullet — which is arguably the second most anticipated action event of Fire & Blood — trying to give it the time and the space that it deserves.”

When will 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' come out?

After the success of House of the Dragon, HBO greenlit A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, a new spinoff based on a trio of prequel novellas that take place 100 years before the events of Game of Thrones. (The overall Westeros TV timeline goes HotD, then Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, then GoT.) The new series will follow two fan-favorite characters: Ser Duncan the Tall (a.k.a. Dunk), and his squire Egg (a.k.a. Aegon V Targaryen), as they travel throughout Westeros on quests and adventures. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Condal described the new series as being about "the small folk who suffer at the hands of the game of thrones as it's played by the nobles."

On August 4, 2024, HBO released a sizzle reel that featured the first-ever look at A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. The brief clip introduced Dunk (played by Peter Claffey) and the young Egg (played by Dexter Sol Ansell), while confirming that the new series will make its debut in 2025. So, HotD fans will have a new tale of chivalry to hold us over until House of the Dragon season 3.

Spoilers for House of the Dragon season 2, episodes 1-9 ahead. Like a fan-favorite character once said, the Game of Thrones universe has a soft spot for bastards and broken things. This affinity continues in the prequel series House of the Dragon, which returned for its second season in June 2024 with some surprising new characters in the orbit of its dueling Greens and Blacks. In addition to setting up the early battles of the Targaryen family's civil war known as the Dance of Dragons, the series also introduces some common folk populating King's Landing and Driftmark. While the inclusion may have seemed surprising to some TV fans, readers of author George R. R. Martin's original Fire and Blood book series know that no scene included in this stacked fantasy series is truly random. (Let's keep the final Thrones seasons out of our minds for that.)

While GoT had Jon Snow and Ellaria Sand (we're ignoring Ramsey), HotD has the dragonseeds, many of whom we were already introduced to before season 2, episode 4. These men (and maybe eventually women) are set up to play monumental roles in the fight for the Iron Throne, even if they aren't all introduced within season 2. Read on for a primer on the dragonseeds we've met on House of the Dragon so far, including which dragons they've claimed, and some extra details from Fire and Blood.

What is a dragonseed in 'House of the Dragon?'

In the era of Westeros where dragons roamed the sky and Targaryens were on the throne, "dragonseed" was the term for bastards of Valyrian descent. A dragonseed is fathered or mothered by someone from a dragon-riding Valyrian family, typically a Targaryen or a Velaryon. Not all children of Valyrian descent inherit dragon-riding skills, but a great amount do. Since the ability to ride dragons is passed down through blood (look up "why Valyrians can ride dragons" for a fun yet harrowing time), a dragonseed doesn't need to be officially claimed by their family to be able to ride a dragon, though that is likely the only way they'd get anywhere near one.

Being a dragonseed is dangerous at any time before Robert's Rebellion since the odds are they could become cannon fodder for a potential heir securing his throne. As Ulf says, “A dragonseed must watch his own neck when he has no white cloak guardsman to do it for him.” However, at a time when dragons are the most valuable weapon in a war, there is a chance the dragonseeds could become indispensable.

Let's meet some of them below.

Addam of Hull

Early in season 2, we meet brothers Addam (Clinton Liberty) and Alyn (Abubakar Salim), who grew up in the Driftmark town of Hull. Remember when Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) was thought dead after a battle in the Stepstones? It turns out that Alyn is the one who saved him, and, as his brother Addam hints in episode 2, that's not the only connection the men have to the Sea Snake. In episode 4, Rhaenys (Eve Best) pretty much confirms that Alyn and Addam are the bastard children of Corlys, adding that Corlys should reward Alyn for saving his life. She also mentions that the pair shouldn't have to hide in the shadows, which is some mighty foreshadowing.

In Fire and Blood, Alyn and Addam are confirmed to be of Velaryon blood, though it's unsure whether they are Laenor (John MacMillan) or Corlys's sons. One passage reads, "That Addam and Alyn were dragonseed no man who looked upon them could doubt, though their mother steadfastly refused to name their father." (Judging by Laenor's sexuality, we suspect it's going to be either Corlys or even his late brother Vaemond on the show.) As for their dragonseed heritage, there was a lovely nod in episode 2, where we got a lengthy shot of Addam admiring his half-brother(?) Laenor's dragon, Seasmoke.

In season 2, episode 6, the silver-gray dragon Seasmoke sets off the claiming of the dragonseeds. Seasmoke was originally bonded to Rhaenyra's husband Laenor Velaryon (John Macmillan), but after Laenor faked his death, the dragon roamed wild around Westeros, near Dragonstone and Hull. One afternoon, Seasmoke descends on Addam out of the blue and the pair embark on a fearful chase. Once Seasmoke corners Addam, it becomes clear that the dragon has found her new rider. Though we still don't know of Addam's paternal parentage, it seems as though the dragon somehow senses that he is her old rider's half-brother.

At the start of episode 7, Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy)hears word that Seasmoke has been claimed and confronts the new rider. Addam quickly bends the knee to the queen, and Rhaenyra forms the idea to search for dragonseeds among the bastard Targaryen children of King's Landing.

Ulf the White

Ulf the White (Tom Bennett) is one of the residents of King's Landing, who we first see among the crowds learning of the ratcatchers' untimely deaths after the incident known as Blood and Cheese. In episode 3, we properly meet Ulf at a tavern, where he's regaling his crowd of friends with the story of his parentage. According to Ulf, he's the bastard son of Baelon the Brave, and therefore half-brother to Daemon (Matt Smith) and the late King Viserys (Paddy Considine). (In actuality, Baelon was Jaehaerys' heir to the Iron Thorne, but he died before his father, leading to the Great Council of Harrenhal where Viserys was chosen as king over Rhaenys.)

Ulf's friends do not believe him, as he doesn't have white Targaryen hair, but Ulf points out that Rhaenyra's son Jace (Harry Collett) is a brunette. He also dubs Jace the rightful heir to the Iron Throne, though he quickly toasts Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) once the usurper shows up at the brothel. House of the Dragon has yet to confirm Ulf's parentage, but Fire and Blood fans know that the loudmouth's claim has some truth to it.

In episode 7, Ulf's friends tell him that Rhaenyra is seeking Targaryen bastards to claim dragons. Though Ulf confesses that he doesn't even know if his claims are entirely true, he has gotten free drinks from his white-haired heritage, so he sets off to Dragonstone partly to save fast. As the attempt to find a rider for Vermithor goes sour, Ulf runs off through the mountain Dragonmont and stumbles upon the unclaimed she-dragon Silverwing. They unexpectedly bond, and Ulf even gets the chance to ride his new dragon over King's Landing.

Hugh Hammer

In the first episodes of season 2, one of the common folk we meet is Hugh Hammer (Kieran Bew), a blacksmith whose family is struggling through the Velaryon blockade of the Gullet. Upon a first look, he represents the many residents of King's Landing who face starvation, along with his wife Kat (Ellora Torchia) and their ill daughter. However, as you can tell by the uncommon white hair, Hammer has some Velaryon heritage.

Once the recruiting drive for the Blacks begins in King's Landing, Hugh reveals to Kat that he had been hiding the truth of his parentage. He says that his mother was a sex worker with silver hair, who was "granted more freedom than most because of who she was." He also adds, "She used to tell me I was no different to her brother’s boys, Viserys and Daemon, but I was ashamed of her."

In an interview with Decider, Bew confirmed that Hugh's mother is Saera Targaryen, the notoriously sex-positive ninth daughter of King Jaehaerys I (Michael Carter), who fled to become a sex worker in Lys rather than become a Silent Sister. That heritage may have played a part in Hugh claiming Vermithor in the Dragonmont, as the second-largest dragon was previously bonded to the late king. Hugh also impressed the dragon in a show of courage, where he confronted it to give another woman a chance to escape.

Are there any female Dragonseeds?

As of season 2, episode 9, all of the dragonseeds introduced in House of the Dragon have been men. However, the most powerful dragonriders (or at least the most beloved) in the Thrones TV universe have been women—so hopefully there's at least one female dragonseed incoming. Hopefully, they'll make their appearance sooner rather than later.

Spoilers for House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4 ahead. On Sunday, July 8, House of the Dragon gave everyone what they were waiting for. From the fictional lords populating the Green and Black Councils to certain carnage-hungry fans, countless voices have been calling for the Game of Thrones spinoff to bring on the action promised for season 2, as the Targaryens and their dragons face off on the battlefield. In episode 4, "The Red Dragon and the Gold," the war truly began with the highly-anticipated Battle of Rook's Rest, which ended with both the first major death and the first major cliffhanger of season 2.

The battle begins when Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) and the Green Army attack one of the castles in the crownlands close to King's Landing, as a detour on his campaign to retake Harrenhal. Ser Criston (who, despite being the worst, is a great tactician) uses the castle as bait to lure out one of the Blacks' dragons, at which point a hidden Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) and his beast Vhagar will emerge and fight. When Princess Rhaenys (Eve Best) and her dragon Meleys arrive to help defend the castle, Criston sounds a signal for Vhagar to storm in, but they're interrupted by King Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) on his (much smaller) dragon Sunfyre. The leader of the Greens flies to battle without alerting his family, his council, or his army, and subsequently gets smoked.

House of the Dragon had spent episode 4 (and every Aegon scene since the season 2 premiere), setting the foundation for this rash act. Even before his son Jaehaerys II was beheaded by Blood and Cheese, he was hungry for bloodshed against his aunt Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy), leader of the Blacks and rival for the throne. Being a new king and a horrible strategist, Aegon had no idea what he was doing, and his entire council (including his mother Alicent, played by Olivia Cooke) chose to ignore him. Even his new Hand of the King Criston set out to battle as soon as humanly possible. So, Aegon's decision to ride into battle himself is a desperate grab for respect and deference—gone horribly wrong.

Meanwhile, Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) has already been pissed at his older brother Aegon all season. Sure, Aemond's base state is intimidation, but it's become clear that he thinks his sibling is an imbecile. In episode 3, there was also that scene in which Aegon tormented Aemond at the brothel. So when Aemond and his beast Vhagar join the battle, Aemond chooses to attack Rhaenys and Meleys without any concern about Aegon getting caught in the dragonfire crosshairs. A fatally wounded Sunfyre crashes to the ground, and several minutes later, Rhaenys and Meleys also crash to their fiery deaths. (R.I.P. Rhaenys, the Queen Who Never Was.)

After that confirmed death, the episode ends with Criston searching for Aegon and finding Sunfyre's crash site. Aemond stands next to it, sword drawn. He quietly picks up Aegon’s fallen dagger and uses it to point to his brother's unmoving body, framed by the dying dragon. However, the episode ends before it's confirmed whether the king who sits on the Iron Throne is actually dead. Could the Greens have already lost their leader in the war's first major battle? The series wants to keep this a cliffhanger, but luckily for impatient fans, George R.R. Martin's novel Fire and Blood has the answer. Major spoilers for Fire and Blood ahead.

Miraculously, Aegon does survive a faceful of dragonfire at the Battle of Rook's Rest, where he suffers "broken ribs, a broken hip, and burns that covered half his body." As Martin explains, "His left arm was the worst. The dragonflame had burned so hot that the king’s armor had melted into his flesh." Ouch.

Sunfyre also survives(!), but he's grounded for a long while, due to Meleys breaking one of his wings. The dragon stays near Rook's Rest to recuperate, with Ser Criston stationing men to protect Sunfyre and sending him sheep to eat, and eventually, the dragon recovers enough to fly again. However, he's a little off, with one historian later describing him as "a great golden fire-breathing chicken."

So, while not dead, Aegon's down for the count. Per Fire and Blood, he remains on bed rest for over a year, sleeping "nine hours out of every 10" and suffering from burns that "brought him such pain that some say he prayed for death." He remains king in name, but Aemond takes over as Prince Regent and Protector of the Realm, with Cole remaining as his Hand of the King.

Considering war stats, the Battle of Rook's Rest can't be considered a win by either side; the Greens (temporarily) lost their king while the Blacks lost their MVP and biggest dragon. The question going forward is whether having Aemond on the throne will turn the tides in either direction.

Of course, there is the dangling question of whether HBO's televised version of the Dance of the Dragons will decide to kill Aegon off after all. It would be the biggest change from Fire and Blood yet, but House of the Dragon has already made some big book-to-film changes in season 2 so far. Also, the major House of the Dragon spoilers that were included in Game of Thrones are vague enough that the prequel series could meet its canon conclusion with or without Aegon. Still, for the sake of some major story twists going forward, the series adaptation will hopefully decide to keep its plot close to the book.

It’s time to head to the pub and pour a bevvy to celebrate: Industry is finally returning for season 3. The HBO financial drama about the young employees and their mentors at the London office of the investment bank Pierpoint & Co. first premiered in 2020 to critical acclaim and has since amassed a devoted cult following who would trust Harper (Myha'la), Yasmin (Marisa Abela), Robert (Harry Lawtey), and Eric (Ken Leung) to close any billion dollar deal.

The third season comes just under two years after season 2 arrived in late 2022—and is set to fill a void on HBO, now that Succession is off the air. So if you’re looking for a sexy, messy workplace drama to fill the void of the Emmy-winner, consider this finance series (which is more about corporate greed, ambition, and questionable morality in and out of the workplace) your next must-watch TV show. Ahead of the third season of Industry, here's everything we know about the upcoming installment.

When does 'Industry' season 3 premiere?

Industry season 3 premieres on HBO and Max on Sunday, August 11 at 9:00 p.m. ET. HBO announced the show's highly anticipated return in late May.

As with all HBO originals, the drama created by Mickey Down and Konrad Kay will air weekly every Sunday throughout its run this season; that way you have time to crunch all those numbers and mull over whatever wild drug-induced poor decisions the young bankers make after hours.

How many episodes are in 'Industry' season 3?

As with seasons 1 and 2 of Industry, season 3 will feature eight episodes. So you can expect the show to be your appointment viewing from mid-August through late September when it wraps up with its season finale on September 29.

Who is in the 'Industry' season 3 cast?

Just about every core cast member of Industry is set to return for season 3, as reported by Deadline. Even though Myha'la's character Harper boldly decided to leave Pierpoint & Co at the end of season 2, she's set to return and you can expect the series to follow her latest venture. Over at Pierpoint, junior employees like Yasmin (Marisa Abela), Robert (Harry Lawtey), and Venetia (Indy Lewis) will still be grinding and bosses like Harper's former point person Eric (Ken Leung), Yasmin's irritating manager Kenny (Conor MacNeill), trader Rish (Sagar Radia), and the company's FICC Bill (Trevor White) will still be calling the shots. You can also expect to see more of Nicole (Sarah Parish), the client who was inappropriate with both Harper and Robert, as well as Yasmin's father Charles (Adam Levy).

In the official cast list shared by Deadline when HBO announced the season 3 premiere date, David Jonsson and Jay Duplass' characters Gus and Jesse Bloom, respectively, were notably not included. It seems as though when Gus was fired from Pierpoint & Co for leaking information to Harper, which she passed on to Bloom and inspired him to hire Gus as an assistant, the two flew to the U.S. and completed their arcs in the Industry world.

While some core cast members won't be back, a handful of exciting names are set to join the ensemble. In April 2023, Deadline reported that former Game of Thrones star Kit Harington had been cast in Industry in a major role. According to the outlet, the British actor will portray Henry Muck, "the CEO and Founder of Lumi, an exciting green tech energy company that’s about to go public."

Jon Snow himself isn't the only HBO alum coming to Industry. Shortly after his casting, Variety revealed Barry star Sarah Goldberg as another new addition. She'll play a "portfolio manager at ethical investment fund FutureDawn" named Petra Koenig. You can expect her to share a lot of screen time with My'hala, as Harper is said to work with her following her Pierpoint & Co departure.

Per Deadline, several other new cast members are Miriam Petche as Sweetpea Golightly, Andrew Cavill as Lord Norton, Roger Barclay as Otto Mostyn, Fady Elsayed as Ali El Mansour, and Fiona Button as Denise Oldroyd.

Is there a trailer for 'Industry' season 3?

Yes! HBO dropped the official trailer for Industry season 3 on July 24. At one point, Robert says, "Join us on the ground floor of what is gonna be a spectacular journey"—which sounds like what fans can expect from the forthcoming season. The trailer reveals that Harrington's character Henry Muck is a bit unruly and seems to have just about everybody at Pierpoint & Co in somewhat of a bind. It looks like he's intent on romantically pursuing Yasmin while rubbing it in Robert's face. Meanwhile, the clip teases that the entire company is at its wits' end with crisis upon crisis and a building adversary from Harper's new calculated powerhouse of a boss Petra. "I think Pierpoint might be absolutely fucked," a staffer declares, while Robert responds, "What else is new?"

We couldn't agree more, but we're down for the count!

That's not the only video of new footage available. HBO also dropped a teaser for Industry season 3 in early July. The brief clip offered the first footage of Harington and Goldberg in their new roles. It also showed how Harper is still wrestling with her toxic allegiance to Pierpoint & Co and Eric—who may have since taken Robert under his wing, as he's seen telling him to repeat, "I'm a man and I'm relentless."

In the teaser, there are also gripping chats over dinner and in the office's open floor plan, parties on boats and at casinos, champagne pours into people's mouths, and a shirtless Harington, for good measure. So, it looks like we're in for another unhinged season of Industry.

What will 'Industry' season 3 be about?

The next season of Industry should be as tense and chaotic as the team's sales calls and post-work benders combined. As fans may remember, season 2 ended with the London office facing a reckoning with multiple sexual assaults and abuses of power coming to light, leading to a major changeover in staff. It also culminated in a fallout between Harper and Eric, who fired her upon learning she never graduated college, meaning a large focus of season 3 will be where she landed on her feet. Yasmin similarly experienced a major change at the end of last season, as her father cut her off after she confronted him about his affairs, leading her to turn to Robert for support.

HBO has shared an official synopsis of what fans can expect: "In season 3, as Pierpoint looks to the future and takes a big bet on ethical investing, Yasmin, Robert, and Eric find themselves front and center in the splashy IPO of Lumi, a green tech energy company led by Sir Henry Muck, in a story that runs all the way to the very top of finance, media, and government. Since leaving Pierpoint, Harper is eager to get back into the addictive thrill of finance and finds an unlikely partner in FutureDawn portfolio manager Petra Koenig."

We live in a day and age when nearly every show known to man is at our fingertips. And yet, when we’re feeling down in the dumps, we find ourselves gravitating to the best comfort shows we’ve been watching on repeat for years.

Essentially a balm for your brain, comfort shows are the feel-good, old reliables you put on as background noise when you’re falling asleep. They’re the heartwarming comedies or binge-able reality shows you revisit when you’re sick and laid up on the couch, and your tried-and-true heroes against decision fatigue when you’ve had it with scrolling through your seven subscription platforms. The best comfort shows have dozens upon dozens of episodes—so you never have to dive back into the endless scroll—and are laden with enough quirky characters and low-stakes drama to hold your interest without getting stressed by the storyline; some are even among the best series of all time.

Here, we’ve rounded up 30 of the best comfort TV shows, organized by where you can stream them. (You’re welcome.)

The Best Comfort TV Shows on Apple TV

'Shrinking' (2023– )

If you’re looking for comfort, look no further than Shrinking, which depicts one of the most supportive and compassionate found families. It picks up after the death of a beloved wife and mother, as a quirky array of neighbors, coworkers, and friends step in to prop up father-daughter duo Jimmy and Alice (Jason Segel and Lukita Maxwell) through the ups and downs of their coming to terms with loss and grief.

WATCH IT

'Ted Lasso' (2020– )

Perhaps the most feel-good show in recent memory, Ted Lasso stars Jason Sudeikis in the titular role as an American football coach who’s recruited to head up a British soccer team. He may not know much about soccer, but he does know plenty about teamwork and kindness, meaning that virtually every episode is guaranteed to tug at your heartstrings.

WATCH IT

'Trying' (2020– )

Apple TV has developed a knack for greenlighting some of the coziest shows on television today, like Shrinking, Ted Lasso, and this highly underrated series, which is like a warm hug. It follows a very sweet, very British couple (played by Esther Smith and Rafe Spall) on a journey to start a family amid their chaotic—but very loving—life together.

WATCH IT

The Best Comfort TV Shows on HBO Max

'Friends' (1994–2004)

There’s a reason Friends reruns are still on air over two decades after its series finale. While some storylines no longer hold up, the friendships and the will-they-won’t-they relationships between the six main characters transcend time. Plus, you can throw on most of its 200+ episodes (we've already rounded up the all-time best) without much context and still enjoy its various bits.

WATCH IT

'Gossip Girl' (2007–2012)

While most comfort shows earn their title for being cozy and relatable, Gossip Girl is comforting for the opposite reason. It’s full of twisty storylines and high school experiences so unbelievably outlandish that the show makes for a perfect escape from the real world. It's also incredibly satisfying to watch baby Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, and Taylor Momsen do their thing, knowing they're all about to hit the big time.

WATCH IT

'Schitt’s Creek' (2015–2020)

Family sitcoms are a dime a dozen, but this might be one of the best. It follows the Rose family—mom Moira (Catherine O'Hara), dad Johnny (Eugene Levy), and their adult children David (Dan Levy) and Alexis (Annie Murphy)—as they lose their once-vast fortune and are forced to retreat to the one property they still have left: a rundown motel in the small town of Schitt’s Creek. It’s a classic fish-out-of-water story, and there’s nothing more uplifting than seeing this uppity, out-of-touch family grow and adapt to their quirky new home and neighbors.

WATCH IT

'Sex and the City' (1998–2004)

Like other turn-of-the-millennium series on this list, not every storyline on Sex and the City will hold up for a contemporary audience, and the show is nowhere near as groundbreaking as it was when it first aired. But its central themes of women owning their sexuality, embracing singledom in their 30s, and most importantly, female friendship, will never get old. All in all, this is a solid choice for a lazy weekend rewatch.

WATCH IT

The Best Comfort TV Shows on Hulu

'Abbott Elementary' (2021– )

Abbott Elementary may be a newer entry on this list, but it's already firmly cemented a spot among the feel-good TV greats. The show helmed by Quinta Brunson (who also stars as Janine Teagues) follows the lives of a kooky group of teachers and staffers at a public Philadelphia elementary school. Its equal parts hilarity and heart have already earned it 30 Emmy nominations.

WATCH IT

'The Bachelor' (2002– )

Guilty pleasure comfort at its finest, The Bachelor has just enough romance to make us swoon and just enough drama to keep us invested. While not every couple’s story is a fairytale—we’re still not over that last-minute switcheroo Arie Luyendyk Jr. pulled on Becca Kufrin—we can always take comfort in knowing that if our faves don’t find love, they might find something better. (Like, you know, a shot at being the next Bachelor or Bachelorette!)

WATCH IT

'Bob's Burgers' (2011– )

For those who grew up racing to the TV every Saturday morning to watch cartoons, few things are more comforting than a sweetly silly animated show. Though decidedly more family-friendly than the Adult Swim brand of primetime cartoons, Bob’s Burgers still puts a grown-up spin on those childhood memories with its distinctly bizarre sense of humor and sneakily smart writing.

WATCH IT

'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' (1997–2003)

Sure, there’s a lot that’s unsettling about the hit supernatural series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, with its vampires, hellmouths, and zombies. But deep down, you already know going in that our girl Sarah Michelle Gellar is going to save the day, and she’s probably even going to do it by the end of the episode. And if she can’t handle it? The Scooby gang can. As such, it gets our vote for a top-notch comfort binge, particularly during spooky season.

WATCH IT

'Full House' (1987–1995)

It doesn’t get much more wholesome than Full House. You’ve got three fun-loving dudes (Bob Saget, John Stamos, and Dave Coulier) coming together to raise three young girls, including baby Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen toddling around in Pampers, and a heartfelt message in every storyline. (It wouldn’t be part of ABC’s iconic TGIF lineup without one.) Throw in the love ballads Uncle Jesse (Stamos) regularly serenades Rebecca (Lori Loughlin) with, and we’re complete balls of mush.

WATCH IT

'Glee' (2009–2015)

Gleeks, assemble! I can think of nothing more soothing in our troubled times than to plop on the couch, turn off your brain, and let a symphony of teenage drama and objectively great show choir performances wash over you. BRB, gotta go revisit Rachel’s (Lea Michele) version of “Don’t Rain on My Parade” for the millionth time.

WATCH IT

'The Mindy Project' (2012–2017)

Certified rom-com lover Mindy Kaling brought the best tropes of the genre to this show, in which she stars as an OB/GYN looking for love. Add in a hefty dose of zany workplace comedy, and you’ve got the recipe for one of the best, most endlessly rewatchable sitcoms of the 2010s.

WATCH IT

'Modern Family' (2009–2020)

How does one begin to explain the hole Modern Family left in our hearts when it ended after its 11th and final season? For more than a decade, the kooky clan that was the Dunphy family drew us into their hearts and homes with their wacky escapades that involved everything from Haley (Sarah Hyland) accidentally bumping into her dad with the car to Cam (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) getting trapped in his law firm bathroom while wearing a Spider-Man suit. Our remotes remain firmly locked when this one’s reruns resurface.

WATCH IT

'The Simpsons' (1989– )

Know what’s comforting? Consistency. And it doesn’t get much more consistent than The Simpsons. Shocking though it may be, America’s favorite cartoon has been running for more than 35 seasons, making it one of the longest-running television shows on air. Bart and the gang keep coming up with satirical chuckles and scathing commentary on everything from politics to pop culture, and we keep comfort watching.

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'This Is Us' (2016–2022)

Like everyone, the Pearsons have their ups and downs. They fight, get into messy situations (we’re looking at you, Kevin), and go through (more than) their fair share of hardships; the whole show centers on how the family copes after patriarch, Jack Pearson, dies young. But no matter what’s happening in their lives, the family always comes together to help each other in their times of need—until the very end.

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The Comfort TV Shows on Netflix

'Emily in Paris' (2020– )

Sometimes, you just need to sit back and watch someone make the most baffling decisions of all time—while wearing extremely enviable outfits. That seems to be the thesis of several shows on this list, including Emily in Paris, which follows the many fumbles and hijinks of the very American titular character (Lily Collins) as she navigates a new life and career overseas.

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'Gilmore Girls' (2000–2007)

Gilmore Girls is everything one could ever want or need in a comfort show. The series created by Amy Sherman-Palladino is set in a small town where it’s seemingly always autumn and wacky townspeople abound, there are endlessly relatable coming-of-age storylines, and, at its core, it's a powerful mother-daughter relationship—need we say more?

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'Grace and Frankie' (2015–2022)

A take on the classic odd-couple trope, this Netflix original stars Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in the titular roles as a pair of septuagenarian frenemies whose husbands fall in love, leaving them to also (reluctantly) start a new life together. Though it qualifies as a laugh-out-loud comedy, Grace and Frankie is also subtly packed with warm-and-fuzzy moments as the two leading ladies come to love and accept each other despite their many (many!) differences.

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'The Great British Baking Show' (2010– )

Easily the sweetest (in more ways than one!) cooking show to ever hit TV screens, The Great British Baking Show is a classic competition series with a not-so-classic attitude. Rather than its contestants actively sabotaging each other, as is the norm in most reality series, contestants at this iconic tent in the English countryside are far more likely to abandon their tasks to give their competitors a hand. (We're not crying, you're crying.)

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'Queer Eye' (2018–2026)

Just try to get through a marathon viewing of Queer Eye without shedding a happy tear. The transformation each person undergoes while working with food and wine expert Antoni Porowski, design expert Bobby Berk (and later, Jeremiah Brent), fashion expert Tan France, grooming expert Jonathan Van Ness, and culture expert Karamo Brown is often profound, giving us every ounce of the feels.

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'Seinfeld' (1989–1998)

They say that misery loves company, and no matter how bad of a day you’re having, there’s a good chance that one of these eccentric New Yorkers will have a worse one than you. After all, have you ever been banned from your favorite delivery joint for life or fired for using your boss’s bathroom? Another beautiful aspect of the show? Chronology doesn’t matter in the slightest. You can fire it up at episode 1 or episode 135, and you’ll be equally entertained—and able to follow along.

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'Virgin River' (2019– )

Watching Virgin River is like receiving a warm hug from a friend through your TV screen: That’s the best way we can describe it. All about an L.A. doctor (Alexandra Breckenridge) who moves to a small town to escape her past, it's a sweet reminder that it's never too late to start over. Not only does Mel find herself in a tight-knit community that comes together in the face of adversity, but she also gets a newfound lease on love—and a reason to hope anew.

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The Best Comfort TV Shows on Peacock

'New Girl' (2011–2018)

With its addition to various streaming services in recent years, New Girl has seen something of a renaissance among a broader audience than it had while on-air throughout much of the 2010s. There’s just something so endlessly watchable (and re-watchable) about the hijinks that Jess (Zooey Deschanel) and her lovable roomies get up to with every episode, and the way they always come through for each other no matter what.

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'The Office' (2005–2013)

It may be a basic choice, but there's no denying that The Office is a classic. Like Friends, this is one where you can jump in anywhere along its 201-episode trajectory and easily slip right back into the rhythms of Dunder-Mifflin’s Scranton branch. Wild though their antics may be, these coworkers truly care for each other at heart, making for one sweet yet dysfunctional family you can't help but love.

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'Parks and Recreation' (2009–2015)

In the same vein as The Office, Parks and Recreation—co-created by Michael Schur and The Office showrunner Greg Daniels—is yet another workplace sitcom that’s full of delightfully unique characters whose relationships with one another range from the obsessive to the openly antagonistic (looking at you, April!). You know, just like a real office. And that's exactly why we love it.

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The Best Comfort TV Shows on Prime Video

'The Brady Bunch' (1969–1974)

We'd be remiss not to mention the classic TV show The Brady Bunch among our comforting faves. Filmed in a simpler time, it will take you back to when life's biggest worries were braces, tattle tales, and setting a record for the longest time spent on the seesaw. We'd venture to say that this ‘70s series about a blended family with six children sharing one roof (and one bathroom!) will be just the reprieve the doctor ordered when you're feeling overwhelmed with everyone and everything.

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'Hart of Dixie’ (2011–2015)

Hart of Dixie’s Dr. Zoe Hart (Rachel Bilson) walked so Virgin River’s Melinda Monroe could run. The storyline is similar: Big city gal Zoe moves to rural Alabama and struggles to adjust to her new surroundings. They also share a local doctor in star Tim Matheson. But the biggest similarity between the two? The feelings you’ll get when Zoe finally starts to let down her walls and embrace her newfound life.

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'Murder, She Wrote' (1984–1996)

Murder may not be the first thing you think of when you think “comfort,” but procedural shows like Law & Order, CSI, Criminal Minds, and more are go-to rewatches for so many people simply for the reassurance that each case, no matter how grisly, will be solved by the end of the episode. Murder, She Wrote is the quainter cousin of those standbys: It stars Angela Lansbury as an amateur detective and professional busybody Jessica Fletcher, who somehow stumbles upon enough murder cases in her sleepy Maine town to fill more than 260 episodes.

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On May 30, 2024, television history was made, as the Hacks season 3 finale went full Succession, and stand-up legend Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) and her writer Ava Daniels' (Hannah Einbinder) friendship was changed forever. The Emmy-winning Max original comedy spent its third season reuniting Deborah and Ava in pursuit of one goal: making Deborah the host of a major late-night show. They succeeded, but a pair of double crossings turned their often-contentious relationship on its head, as Ava fully embraced the ruthless lessons she has learned from the veteran comedian.

So, what's in store for the must-watch TV comedy duo after that frosty, jaw-dropping final scene? Read on for everything we know so far about Hacks season 4.

Has 'Hacks' been renewed for a fourth season?

Yes! Max announced the good news in late May 2024, the same day the Hacks season 3 finale dropped. The streamer also revealed in a press release that season 3's seventh and eighth episodes gave the comedy its best single-day viewership thus far.

“We congratulate Hacks' brilliant cast and crew, and our partners at Universal Television,” Sarah Aubrey, head of Max Original Programming, said in a statement. “Hacks is a masterfully crafted comedy delivering laughs and sharp insights about the vulnerability and joy of sharing a dream. The creative team behind this singular show is not only brilliant but also a joy to work with. We couldn’t be happier to give viewers another season with Deborah, Ava and the rest of the Hacks family.”

Ahead of the season 4 renewal, show creators Lucia Aniello, Jen Statsky, and Paul W. Downs opened up about their plans for the series in an interview with Deadline. The trio shared that they had always planned for Hacks to be a five-season arc and are still headed down that path.

“That’s still our plan,” Aniello told the outlet. “We started pitching the show in 2019, but we’ve been thinking about it since 2015, so we’ve had a great time to plot out and talk about where we wanted the show to go.”

When will 'Hacks' season 4 come out?

Deborah and Ava will be back on our screens sooner than expected! Max has announced that Hacks season 4 will premiere on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 6 p.m. PT/9 pm ET, with a two-episode season premiere.

Episodes 3 through 6 will air weekly, followed by a special double release for episodes 7 and 8 on May 15. The season will wrap up with episode 9 on May 22, and the season 4 finale on May 29.

The Emmy-winning comedy entered production in late September last year. On September 30, 2024, the show's official Instagram shared a heartwarming shot of stars Smart and Einbinder, co-creator/star Downs, and the series' other writers back on set at none other than a Vegas casino. "Let’s roll. Hacks Season 4 is now in production," the caption said.

Einbinder also posted a selfie on her Instagram Story of herself in "Ava mode," wearing a blue, striped buttoned-down top and her hair cut into a bob.

Is there a trailer for 'Hacks' season 4?

On March 11, 2025, Max teased the start of the Deborah v. Ava war, with the official season 4 trailer picking up right after their intense showdown. In addition to preparing for Deborah's late-night premiere, the new season will see the duo taking on DJing, race-car driving, trust falls, and home renovations. Things are sounding rough for Ava, with Jimmy (Paul W. Downs) warning her, "She's been doing this for 50 years. You're not gonna beat her at her own game. Nobody beats Deborah."

Before the official trailer dropped, HBO shared a sneak peek of Hacks season 4 in its 2025 sizzle reel, which was released in November 2024. The brief clip (seen at 0:38 below) shows another Deborah-Ava face-off moments after the big season 3 finale (judging by the pair wearing the same clothes).

Deborah mocks Ava, saying, "Aren’t you a big, brave girl," while Ava responds, "I guess I am."

“We’ll see,” Deborah says.

What will 'Hacks' season 4 be about?

The official season 4 logline reads, "Tensions rise as Deborah and Ava endeavor to get their late-night show off the ground and make history doing it." So, while being heartbreaking for Deborah-Ava-bestie-shippers, their relationship becoming a full-out rivalry behind the scenes of their new show will undoubtedly make for excellent TV.

The season 3 finale set up what's to come when Ava went behind Deborah's back to snag the head writer role on her new late-night talk show. Originally, Deborah had asked her right-hand writer to come with her to the network show—which she instantly agreed to and quit her other TV writing job in the process, even after they offered her a promotion. However, after the comedy icon tells her mentee that the network bosses told her she couldn't make her mentee the head writer—which Ava finds out is a complete lie—she goes behind her back to secure the job and threatens her with blackmail if she disagrees.

Now that Ava has leveled the power dynamics between the two, we can expect them to one-up each other next season, while trying to make their new late-night show successful. If Ava leaks to the tabloids that her boss hooked up with network executive Bob Lipka (Tony Goldwyn) before she landed her new job—the information she threatened to release, should she not fill the head writer position—that, of course, would make for another publicity blunder to navigate.

After Hacks' win at the 2025 Golden Globes, co-creator Jen Statsky teased that season 4 will be brand-new territory for the show's central relationship. "Definitely in season 4 you see them butting heads in ways they never have while also trying to get a show off the ground, which is very, very complicated," she explained in an interview with Deadline.

Following the Emmys in September 2024, Hacks' co-creators also celebrated their win for Best Comedy Series by dropping a new hint at season 4's plot. Speaking with the press after the team's acceptance speech, as reported by TheWrap, Aniello said, "I think the tease that I can give legally is that we pick up 20 minutes or so after where we left off. The tension is still high, and there’s still a lot of fallout to explore."

In a May 2024 interview with Deadline, Hacks' cast and crew teased even more about that dynamic, and what it'll be like to see Ava come into her full power.

"What we’re setting up is that Deborah is now on the biggest stage of her career," said Statsky. "She's got this huge gig that she now has to make work because it's what she’s wanted more than anything. But now she’s at odds with her closest collaborator—and closest friend, to be honest—because she has betrayed her."

Smart has also shared how she interprets her character's reaction to Ava's decision to defy her, and what she expects the upcoming new season to look like. "Much to Deborah’s dismay...Ava has learned the lessons she taught her a little too well," she said.

She added of the final season 3 scene, "It's a mixture of rage with some admiration; almost pride. And then, at the very last moment, it’s like, 'Oh, this will be fun.'"

Ahead of the show's premiere, the showrunners and cast teased more explicitly what fans can expect in season 4. In an interview with Deadline, Aniello described Ava and Deborah's relationship like a marriage on the rocks but trying to stick together for the sake of their late-night show. She said, "It just felt natural that the reality of the fallout of that would be that they would be on the brink of divorce this whole time. The only thing that’s keeping them together is 'the kids,' the show. It’s like they know they have another thing to take care of, so they have to deal with each other. So, this magical thing that binds them yet again is comedy. Even if they want to kill each other, they can’t."

She added, "It does set up this different dynamic for the season that is, in some ways fun, and in some ways painful...But I think that because it’s evolving and moving as the season goes on, it doesn’t hopefully feel like it’s ever treading water, which is always the fear. It was something we were very, very cognizant of the whole time."

Smart herself noted she was shocked by some of the writers's choices, saying, "I was a little surprised that it got so contentious and so dark...but I didn’t have any doubt that it would work, because what they do always works."

Are there any new cast members in 'Hacks' season 4?

Yes! A handful of exciting new faces will become a part of Deborah and Ava's orbit in the upcoming episodes. In early March, Max announced several new cast members set to appear in guest roles. Julianne Nicholson, fresh off the bombshell season 1 finale of the hit Hulu thriller series Paradise, is among the guest stars, as well as Eric Balfour (The Offer), comedic actors Michaela Watkins (Casual) and Bresha Webb (Run the World), and stand-up comic/writer Robby Hoffman. Their roles are yet to be announced.

Several names have also been announced as the ensemble playing Deborah's writers, including Danny Jolles, Gavin Matts, Grover Whitmore III, Holmes, Jasmine Ashanti, Katy Sullivan, Matt Oberg, and Sandy Honig. We can't wait to see how they feed into (or refuse to put up with) Deborah and Ava's bickering!

One week before the show's premiere date, Variety reported that social media star/podcast host Jake Shane would also appear in season 4. He'll play "Social Media Girlie." TBD what that entails (though we can't imagine Deborah liking any part of that), but it may pull from Shane's real-life persona as an influencer and host of "Therapuss with Jake Shane."

As much as Gen Z writer Ava Daniels is the foil to old-school stand-up comic Deborah Vance on the Max comedy Hacks, the two are not so dissimilar.

Ava (Hannah Einbinder) began working for Deborah (Jean Smart) partially because she struggled to find work after posting a controversial tweet—but largely because she was difficult to work with. As one of her former writing partners tells her during a chance encounter in season 1, she “was an a--hole before the tweet.”

By the end of season 3, Ava has had ample time to learn from the very best at behaving badly. So when Ava’s wronged by Deborah once again, as she lies about being unable to make her the head writer at her new late-night hosting gig, Ava makes certain to level the power dynamic between them.

In the season 3 finale (which hit streaming on May 30), Ava goes behind Deborah’s back to anoint herself with the role and plans to blackmail her if she disagrees. Ava declares that, if she doesn’t get to lead the writers’ room, she’ll make sure it comes out that Deborah had sex with the chairman of the network (Tony Goldwyn) on a company golfing outing weeks before she was hired (episode 6, "Par for the Course"). It’s a move straight out of the Deborah Vance playbook—and makes for one of the most jaw-dropping TV moments of 2024 thus far.

While season 3 begins months after Deborah lets Ava go, telling her to pursue her dreams at the end of season 2, Deborah lures Ava back in when the opportunity arises to become the host of a major network show. Being the first woman to helm a late-night series has been a dream of Deborah's for decades and one she lost out on in the ‘70s due to tabloid fodder. (She was said to have committed arson upon learning her husband cheated on her with her sister, although her ex made up the fire, and Deborah ran with it and incorporated it into her routine.) But to see the dream finally come to fruition, the comedy star needs her No. 1 writer (and best friend, whether she would admit it or not) back by her side.

Ava concedes and the two spend much of season 3 schmoozing network bosses and perfecting Deborah’s public persona to get her behind the late-night desk again. Eventually, the job is Deborah’s. When she finds out, she’s, for once, at a loss for words, and you can imagine she’s thinking about the young woman who shot a late-night pilot 50 years ago.

Yet again, in the ninth and final episode of the season, “Bulletproof,” Deborah tells Ava she wants her to come with her. Ava accepts and reveals she’s exclusively been writing jokes for Deborah’s show in her downtime, then quits the TV writing job she went on hiatus for to work with her old boss, even after they offer to promote her to head writer.

However, when the two connect after Deborah’s first meeting with the whole network team, she tells Ava that the network's one request was to keep the same head writer who has been there for 20 years. Deborah insists she pushed back and reiterates Ava would still be in the writers’ room.

Hours later, Ava discovers Deborah lied to her when she runs into the network CEO, Winnie Landell (Helen Hunt). She uses the fateful encounter to pitch herself for the head writer job, only for Winnie to say, “Deborah can hire whoever she wants. We told her she has full hiring power.”

What follows is a culmination of all of the complicated feelings at the helm of Ava and Deborah’s connection and Hacks itself—their loneliness, fierce ambition, and rage over how they’ve been treated, by each other and their industry. (It’s also a solid contender for their Emmys reels!) Ava bursts into Deborah’s home unannounced to confront her and call her a liar. Deborah matches her ferocity by not backing down and saying the network took a risk by choosing her, which Ava couldn’t understand, and that she needed the show to be “bulletproof.”

Ava pleads that Deborah should give her the head writer job because of their relationship and how Deborah needs her, to which she says, “I do, but not to be my head writer.”

“You specifically told me to be ambitious, except when it inconveniences you, I guess,” Ava responds, calling her mentor “selfish” and stating that she doesn’t want to be a shark or selfish herself.

Ultimately, being selfish is what Ava chooses. Days later when Deborah strolls into day one of her new job, she finds Ava waiting for her in the writers’ room. In a menacing tone, Ava says she’ll be filling the head writer position unless Deborah wants a tabloid scandal to surface—and inevitably ruin her chances at hosting late-night once again.

“The show needs to be bulletproof like you said, so I think I am your head writer after all,” says Ava. “You wouldn’t,” reasons Deborah, to which Ava snarkily responds, “I would. Wouldn’t you?”

There’s anger in their exchange, but there’s also a sense of pride. Deborah has successfully inspired Ava to be the shark she may have always been, and Ava has finally one-upped her boss by wielding her own words against her. Throughout Hacks, Ava has witnessed Deborah blackmail the CEO of the Vegas casino that hosted her residency (Christopher McDonald), admit she sabotaged her friend’s comedy career, and even sue her for going against an NDA. And time and time again, Deborah has told Ava to move on from their creative partnership in a fit of rage and then asked her to come back since no one knows her better; toughening her up with each impulsive move. It’s no wonder Ava’s come out of her stint working for a “hack” in Vegas by playing her cards like a hustler; she’s learned from Sin City’s very best.

In a New Yorker profile of Deborah published before she lands late-night, Ava describes a hack as “someone who does the same thing over and over again.” The young joke writer says it’s what the comedy legend is not because of how committed she is to evolving, which is true—largely because of her. Deborah certainly plays dirty over and over again, though, and it’s hard to see her stopping that routine anytime soon. Now that Ava is ready to match her game—and accepted they’re not so different after all—it feels like the show has been leading to this point, and just beginning. With season 4 likely on the horizon, the two will rival one another more than ever. If it’s anything like their fiery argument and gasp-worthy exchange at the end of the season 3 finale, it’ll be Ava and Deborah's most riveting act yet.

In 2021, Sex and the City fans were delighted to be back sipping Cosmopolitans, traipsing across N.Y.C., and experiencing the highs and lows of love once again with Carrie Bradshaw, Charlotte Yorke, and Miranda Hobbes when Max launched the official companion series And Just Like That... The show created by Michael Patrick King, who helmed the franchise's two movies, reunited the iconic metropolitan gal pals (sans Samantha) as they navigated life in their 50s, with Sarah Jessica Parker, Kristin Davis, and Cynthia Nixon reprising their roles.

While the spinoff has its (many) quirks, audiences were so charmed to be back with the iconic TV characters that AJLT returned for a second season, which continued to see Carrie open herself up to love following the death of her husband, Mr. Big, a.k.a. John Preston (Chris Noth). Fate led her back to her ex-fiancé Aidan Shaw (John Corbett)—and the debates that have ensued for decades over who Carrie belongs with resumed.

It's since been confirmed that the Carrie-Aidan-will-they-won't-they is set to continue, as AJLT was picked up for season 3 once season 2 wrapped up in August 2023. Before fans can be back gabbing over lunch with their favorite New Yorkers, we're breaking down everything we know about AJLT season 3.

When will 'And Just Like That' season 3 be released?

We'll be strolling the streets of Manhattan with Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda, and co. again starting on Thursday, May 29. Max announced the premiere date in mid-April when it shared the official poster. In a press release, the streamer confirmed that episodes will air weekly on Thursdays until the finale on August 14.

The show was filmed throughout spring 2024, with photos of Parker on set and in character as Carrie—wearing everything from a contemporary take on her iconic tutu look to oversized hats and Dr. Scholl's sandals—surfacing online. Filming ran throughout the summer and into the fall, and Parker confirmed they were done shooting on October 31, 2024, with a post on Instagram. The star fittingly shared a photo of herself outside Carrie's brownstone, writing in the caption, "And so, as one season ends, another begins. #AndJustLikeThat Season 3 has officially wrapped production back where it all started. See you in 2025, lovers."

Who will return in 'And Just Like That' Season 3?

The beloved besties who originated in Sex and the City—Carrie, Charlotte, and Miranda—and the core of the show will, of course, be back. The new additions to their circle of friends will also be back: Lisa Todd Wexley (Nicole Ari Parker) and Seema Patel (Sarita Choudhury).

Along with the gal pals, many of their families and longtime, close friends will appear, including Anthony Marentino (Mario Cantone), Charlotte's husband Harry Goldenblatt (Evan Handler), and their children Lily (Cathy Ang) and Rock (Alexa Swinton), and Lisa's husband Herbert Wexley (Christopher Jackson). While Miranda and Steve (David Eigenberg) are no longer together, he'll still appear, given how much her relationship with her son Brady (Niall Cunningham) has become a focus of the show.

It's also been reported that several season 2 guest stars have been upped to series regulars: Sebastiano Pigazzi, who plays Anthony's love interest Giuseppe, and Dolly Wells, Miranda's coworker Joy. Rosemarie DeWitt, who briefly appeared as Aidan's ex-wife in season 2, will also return.

Aidan fans can also rest easy: John Corbett will return, which was teased when he was spotted on set. Season 2 saw the former flame give their relationship a go again and ended with them committing to trying long distance, as Aidan revealed that he needed to return to Virginia to be with his son.

There are a few names that definitely won't be back. In February 2024, months before the show moved into production in early May, Variety reported that Sara Ramírez, who played Miranda's romantic interest and nonbinary comedian Che Diaz, wouldn't be returning. It hasn't been announced why exactly Che—the subject of much criticism in online chatter surrounding the show—will no longer be a part of AJLT. However, sources told Variety that the character "had reached a natural conclusion since their relationship with Miranda had ended."

Nya Wallace, Miranda's professor-turned-friend and another AJLT-originated character, won't be featured in season 3 either. Karen Pittman, who played the fan-favorite new addition, was confirmed by Deadline as unable to return due to scheduling conflicts in March 2024.

Have any new cast members joined the 'And Just Like That' season 3 cast?

A few special guests will join season 3. In early May, comedy icon and TV personality Rosie O'Donnell announced on Instagram that she had joined the cast as a character named Mary. She posted a photo of the teleplay for the first episode of the season, titled "Outlook Good," and captioned the post, "here comes mary #andjustlikethat @hbo."

Months later, King confirmed additional, big-name new cast members to Entertainment Weekly in a January 2025 interview. The showrunner revealed Broadway legend Patti Lupone will play an undisclosed character and comedian Kristen Schaal (known for roles on sitcoms like Bob's Burgers, The Last Man on Earth, and What We Do in the Shadows) will also appear.

Several other new additions have been announced. In June 2024, Variety reported Logan Marshall-Green, Mehcad Brooks, and Jonathan Cake are all set to play recurring guest stars, but details about their roles remain unknown.

What will 'And Just Like That' season 3 be about?

Going into season 3, there are certainly stories to continue for some characters like Carrie, and new avenues to explore for others.

One of season 3's central plotlines will certainly revolve around Carrie and Aidan's rekindling. While the couple (who was once engaged) got back together last season now that Aidan's divorced, he admitted that he needed five years to fully commit because he felt compelled to return to Virginia to raise his children. Meaning, they'll now have to tackle long distance.

While speaking with Variety following the season 2 finale, creator/showrunner Michael Patrick King spoke about the status of Carrie and Aidan going into season 3. He said, "It gives us more story. It gives us an open end. It gives us a complicated problem. It gives us space. It gives Carrie a big thing to think about, you know what I mean?"

He added, "What it gives us is a problem that we have to figure out: how Carrie Bradshaw finds her way through this to love."

Before Aidan told Carrie he needed to return to Virginia, she had promised to move out of her home of many decades on the Upper East Side for him since he felt he could never reenter the space, given their history there. While he did set foot in the space to tell her his realization about needing to go back to Virgina and Carrie's since decided to hold onto the space, her big gesture seems as if she doesn't want to ruin their partnership this time. Distance of course could change that.

In fact, it seems very possible that a bit of rockiness is on the horizon for the love birds. When Corbett was spotted filming AJLT season 3 in May, fans captured footage that they shared on social media of Aidan yelling outside of Carrie's brownstone. In the brief clip, he yells up to her window before picking up what looks like a travel duffle bag and storming up the stairs. For longtime fans of the franchise, it's giving déjà vu.

Miranda, meanwhile, is single again, after pursuing a divorce with Steve and calling things off for good with Che. The show has been committed to exploring her coming-out story, so perhaps she'll be open to meeting new people while co-parenting Brady with Steve.

Charlotte is also back to work for the first time in years, Seema is in a new relationship with Marvel filmmaker Ravi (Armin Amiri), and Lisa recently reached a new career high with her documentary filmmaker and is dealing with the fallout of a miscarriage.

Is there a trailer for 'And Just Like That...' season 3?

You bet! When Max revealed the season 3 premiere date, it also dropped the official trailer. The uplifting clip teases the gal pals as they revel in summertime, including summer flings. "There’s nothing like summer in New York City. With its hot days and even hotter nights, something new and unexpected always awaits," Carrie's voiceover says as she's writing from a patio outside of her new apartment. As for what the new and unexpected might be? It looks like just about everybody has a new crush—from Lisa and Miranda having eyes for coworkers to Charlotte's daughter's teen romance to Carrie flirting with a neighbor, despite still dating Aidan long distance. Meanwhile, it looks like Carrie is attempting to write fiction for the first time (perhaps the next great romance novel or romantasy read?). We can't wait!

Will Samantha ever get her own 'Sex and the City' spinoff?

If fans didn't miss Kim Cattrall's Samantha enough already, her cameo in the season 2 finale of AJLT was even more of a reminder of how much we love her—and how no one will ever replace her. After the series explained Samantha's absence because she and Carrie had a falling out and she moved to London, the two reconciled following the unexpected death of Mr. Big by exchanging text messages and, at the end of season 2, she appeared in an on-screen scene. Samantha returned ever so briefly as she called Carrie from a cab to send her well wishes after her flight was canceled so she could no longer make it to the send-off dinner that she was hosting before moving out of her Upper East Side home of many decades. She spoke in a British accent—a la Annabelle Bronstein, her alter ego from the original series—and made fans everywhere laugh and cry.

While a minute-long scene was enough to make fans clamor for more, it doesn't seem like we'll see additional Samantha scenes. While speaking to Variety following the season 2 finale, King said of her cameo, "I really thought it was a little treat, and I would never build any expectations on more."

Fans have also been curious whether Samantha could have her own show. We'd certainly love to witness Sam Jones' sexcapades and fabulous lifestyle across the pond, but Cattrall has been adamant for nearly a decade about how she no longer wants to play the outspoken publicist. For now, we'll have to take any witty text exchange between Carrie and Samantha on AJLT that we can get.

Fans of feel-good friendship shows and laugh-out-loud comedies know that The Sex Lives of College Girls is a must-watch TV series. Created by Mindy Kaling and Justin Noble, the Max show follows four suitemates (Alyah Chanelle Scott, Amrit Kar, Pauline Chalamet, and Reneé Rapp) attending a New England college, as they navigate academics, campus politics, new friendships, and busy sex lives. Season 2 arrived in November 2022 to critical acclaim, with Max green-lighting season 3 before the finale even aired.

Fast forward several months, and both the dual Hollywood strikes and the surprising departure of a lead actor had fans speculating on the comedy's future. Read on for everything we know about The Sex Lives of College Girls so far, including when it's set to return.

When will 'The Sex Lives of College Girls' season 3 come out?

Classes will be in session this fall! The Sex Lives of College Girls season 3 will premiere on November 21, 2024. The release date was announced in early October when the first trailer for the season (more on that below) dropped.

Max revealed the official date several weeks after Teen Vogue reported in an exclusive preview that the show would return in November. The outlet also revealed that not only will the college comedy follow its traditional release schedule—seasons 1 and 2 premiered in November (of 2021 and 2022, respectively)—SLOCG's new episodes will also have longer runtimes.

“We have a bit longer episodes this year,” the show’s co-creator Justin Noble told Teen Vogue. “They're not an hour long, but they're significantly longer than they've been in the past, which has always been my favorite Twitter criticism of the show... So we'll be seeing some 33, 34 minute episodes as opposed to 23, 22.”

In addition to the news, Max has released several new images of the crew's sophomore year, including some first looks at the incoming cast. (More on them below.)

When Max hadn't officially announced a premiere day, the streamer hinted at its plans to air season 3 sometime in 2024. SLOCG was even included in the streamer's December 2023 sizzle reel titled "The One to Watch in 2024."

As for filming news, Ilia Isorelýs Paulino, who plays Lila, revealed in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that production for the season 3 premiere began last February. Max later shared a video last June on Instagram of Chalamet, Kar, Scott, and Isorelýs Paulino on set and in costumes as their respective collegiate characters. In the fun clip, the foursome performed their version of the looking-for-a-man-in-finance meme.

Which of the cast will return for 'The Sex Lives of College Girls' season 3?

When the season 3 renewal was announced in December 2022, it seemed that the show's four stars—Pauline Chalamet, Amrit Kaur, Reneé Rapp, and Alyah Chanelle Scott—were guaranteed to return for another season. But in June 2023, Deadline reported that Rapp had decided to leave the show.

Rapp later also confirmed the news on Instagram.

"College Girls moved me out to L.A. and introduced me to some of my favorite people. Two and a half years later — it’s given me y’all and this community,” she wrote. “A lot of queer work gets belittled — but playing Leighton has changed my life. I love who I am 10x more than I did before knowing her. I hope she gave y’all a little bit of that too. She’s such a tiny part of representation but even the tiny parts count. I wouldn’t be half the person I am without her and y’all. I love that bitch more than you know. I’m so excited for this season and I can’t wait for you to see what we have coming for her and the girls.”

Speaking with Teen Vogue, Noble confirmed that Rapp will return for some episodes, to wrap up Leighton's arc before her departure. "[She] definitely still has some lessons and room to grow ahead of her. She'll be faced with a couple of big choices and she'll have to make a couple of big decisions in all aspects of her life," the co-creator said.

Although Rapp won't return as a series regular, a handful of other cast members will reprise their roles as usual. Max has officially confirmed Pauline Chalamet (Kimberly Finkle), Alyah Chanelle Scott (Whitney Chase), Amrit Kaur (Bela Malhotra), Christopher Meyer (Canaan Greene), Ilia Isorelys Paulino (Lila Flores), and Renika Williams (Willow) will all be back for more.

Which new cast members are joining 'The Sex Lives of College Girls' season 3?

On April 2, 2024, Deadline reported that Essex College will welcome a transfer student in season 3. Gracie Lawrence has joined the show's cast and will play new arrival Kacey. Per Teen Vogue, Kacey will come to Essex to be with her boyfriend, a current student.

Gracie is best known for co-fronting the soul-pop band Lawrence alongside her brother Clyde. On the acting side, she's also previously appeared in the Netflix film Moxie, and the TV shows Billions, One Dollar, and Younger.

Since welcoming Lawrence, SLOCG has continued building out its cast over the past few months, with Deadline reporting several more new additions. British actress Mia Rodgers will join the show as Taylor, a queer, first-year international student studying at Essex College. Michael Hsu Rosen, who previously starred in the Netflix comedies Glamorous and Pretty Smart, will also play an Essex student.

In June, Deadline revealed four more new cast members will also be Essex students: Netflix alums Michael Provost (Insatiable, Fear Street Part Two: 1978) and Roby Attal (Haunting of Bly Manor, Partner Track), as well as Queen Sugar alum Devin Craig. Rounding out the group (and generating plenty of buzz on social media) is Ruby Cruz, who had a breakout role last year as Hazel in Bottoms.

What will 'The Sex Lives of College Girls' season 3 be about?

Teen Vogue's preview also included hints at the core threesome's journeys as they return for sophomore year following all the drama in the season 2 finale. In case you need a reminder, Whitney decided to move into the Kappa house after spotting Kimberly kissing Canaan(!), Leighton quit Kappa and came out to her dad, and Bela asked to transfer schools after getting kicked out of The Foxy. In the preview, each of the respective stars hinted that the girls will have to deal with the fallout of the events.

Scott said of Whitney's fate, "[Whitney] has to come back sophomore year and really reckon with the decisions she made in the split moment of being hurt to move into the Kappa house and [ask herself] if that’s what she really wants. How long can she avoid and hide from this situation that hurt her?"

Meanwhile, Kaur hinted that Bela will continue her journey of "self-discovery." She told the outlet, "I think you can expect that she's veering towards seeing if she is a good Indian girl, and she discovers whether being a good Indian girl is her vibe or not."

Is there a trailer for 'The Sex Lives of College Girls' season 3?

Yes! With sophomore year fast approaching, Max dropped a teaser for The Sex Lives of College Girls season 3 in October. The charming clip shows the core group up to their typical antics, opening with Bela poking fun at Kimberly and Whitney for pulling a "double walk of shame" the same morning. There are copious parties, what looks like a men's underwear fashion show or dating auction, Kimberly swiping "yes" to Whitney's dad on a dating app, and shots of Bela's quest to hook up with the school mascot.

While we know that Rapp won't be in the entire season, there's some sweet footage of her and the rest of the original suitemates—as well as a preview of Lawrence's new character Kacey. It seems as though she might be filling Leighton's vacancy in their dorm (and in for a rude awakening since she's seen innocently saying that "the best partner is someone who is smart, charming, well-mannered").

Max followed up the teaser with an official trailer drop on October 30, soundtracked by Chappell Roan's "Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl." In addition to teasing that the men of Essex had glow-ups over the summer, the new clip also tells us more about how each of the (now) core trio will adjust to sophomore year. Bela's sporting a 1.8 GPA, Whitney's popping espresso beans like pills, Kimberly's on her R.G.B.-inspired journey to "become a Supreme Court Justice by the age of 53"... with a quick detour to a sex shop. You know what they say: Work hard, play hard.

During Game of Thrones’s near decade-long tenure on the small screen, it was nearly impossible to escape. For at least 24 hours after each episode aired, it often felt like GoT was the only thing anyone was talking, tweeting, or even thinking about, and—in a rare case for long-running TV shows—that hype only increased as time went on.

The key to the HBO hit's success was its perfect blend of fantastical worlds, family drama, courtly intrigue, steamy romance, and intense action that allowed it to appeal to just about anyone. And while there may not be any other show that exactly captures that award-winning alchemy, there are plenty of must-watch series out there that contain at least a few of those components, and which should be able to tide you over until it’s time to return to Westeros for your next rewatch or as you wait for the latest season of its spinoff, House of the Dragon. Here, we’ve rounded up shows like Game of Thrones, from the obvious to the less clear-cut.

'Black Sails' (2014–2017)

Think of this as “Game of Thrones, if they were all pirates.” Black Sails essentially serves as a prequel to the classic novel Treasure Island. Its five seasons are set in the early 1700s and feature an extensive cast of disorderly pirates who have declared “war against the world,” according to the intro to the first episode. To that end, they do plenty of pillaging and plundering and ultimately find themselves at war with the British Empire over control of New Providence, the largest island of the Bahamas.

WATCH IT

‘The Borgias' (2011–2013)

The scheming, scandal-prone Borgias could give the Lannisters a run for their money. This Showtime series follows the real-life Spanish Borgia family and their attempts to bribe, blackmail, and murder their way into the power and wealth of the papacy during the Renaissance.

WATCH IT

'Britannia' (2017–2021)

So much of Game of Thrones's plot revolved around a bloodthirsty quest for power, and that’s also the case for Britannia, which dramatizes the Romans’ attempts to conquer Britain starting in 43 AD. It features plenty of scheming on the Romans’s side, and quite a few fantasy elements, as they’re up against Celtic druids with mystical powers and a habit of taking spiritual trips into other realms.

WATCH IT

'Camelot' (2011)

Another power-hungry show, 2011's Camelot tells the story of the sorcerer Merlin (Joseph Fiennes), who helps put a young Arthur (Jamie Campbell Bower) on the British throne in an attempt to create peace in the country—despite challenges for the throne from Arthur’s cutthroat half-sister Morgan (Eva Green). Unfortunately, this show lasted only one season, but it’s still worth a watch, thanks to its strong writing, great costumes, and star-studded cast.

WATCH IT

'Downton Abbey' (2010–2015)

Downton Abbey may not seem like an obvious follow-up to Game of Thrones, but hear us out: It’s a sprawling drama with a cast of interconnected characters, the lines of succession and inheritance play a major role throughout the show’s many plotlines, and, like GoT, it sparked a cultural phenomenon in its own right. Convinced yet?

WATCH IT

'The Expanse' (2015–2022)

This long-running series has been widely dubbed "Game of Thrones in space" by its passionate fanbase, because of its grounded take on the typical space opera. It also helps that the source novels were written by one of George R.R. Martin’s former assistants (Ty Franck, who co-writes the books with Daniel Abraham, under the collective pen name James S.A. Corey). It takes place 200 years in the future, when humans have already colonized nearby planets, and follows the power struggle between the "Belters," a lower class that has spent generations mining the asteroid belt, and the "Inners," the oppressive upper class that lives on Earth and Mars.

WATCH IT

'Fallout' (2024– )

This sci-fi series about groups of survivors of a nuclear apocalypse goes even further away from GoT's medieval influences, but it counts many of the series' thematic trademarks. Based on an IP that already counts intricate lore and a devoted fanbase? Check. Told across multiple storylines centering on different compelling characters? Double check. A surly, witty, sarcastic co-lead (played by Walton Goggins) with physical deformities that you can't help but love? Triple check. The only downside to watching this series as a Thrones fan is knowing how long you'll have to wait for Fallout season 2.

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'Harlots' (2017–2019)

Harlots may depict a much lower-stakes power grab than those in Game of Thrones, but it’s no less intriguing. This Hulu series—a fictionalized portrayal of actual women from British history—tells the story of Margaret Wells (Samantha Morton), the owner of a brothel in London in the 18th century, who’s willing to do whatever it takes to elevate her daughters’ positions on the social ladder.

WATCH IT

'House of the Dragon' (2022– )

This one’s a no-brainer: If you already love GoT, next on your list should be this prequel series, which goes back about 200 years before the events of the original show. Only two seasons are out so far, so you have plenty of time to catch up before House of the Dragon season 3 premieres in 2026—and, in the meantime, you can brush up on all your Targaryen knowledge, including the tally of living dragons and their riders.

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'The Last Kingdom' (2015–2022)

If you’re looking for a series as epic in scope as Game of Thrones, The Last Kingdom might be your best bet. Its five seasons and sequel film—based on a long-running series of books, of course—span nearly a century, during which protagonist Uhtred of Bebbanburg (Alexander Dreymon), who’s born to a Saxon noble and raised by a Danish warlord, is drawn into grueling wars and rampant political scheming throughout the 9th and 10th centuries in a quest to create a united Kingdom of England.

WATCH IT

'Mary & George' (2024)

This recent series promises to provide the courtly intrigue you’ve missed since GoT ended. It stars Julianne Moore and The Idea of You's Nicholas Galitzine in the titular roles of Mary Villiers and her son George, who schemed to grab more power in the 17th-century British court—including by setting up George to begin an (ill-fated) affair with King James VI and I.

WATCH IT

'Merlin' (2008–2012)

The second Camelot-inspired show on this list is a bit cheesier than the other but lasted much longer. Its award-winning five seasons star Colin Morgan as the titular sorcerer, who takes young Prince Arthur under his wing to protect him and mold him into a worthy king. Its genre could best be described as “medieval fantasy,” albeit in a much more family-friendly way than GoT’s take on the genre. And the overlaps don't stop there: Merlin and GoT have several cast members in common, with Charles Dance (a.k.a. Tywin Lannister) and John Bradley (Samwell Tarly) among the many actors who appeared in both shows.

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'Outlander' (2014– )

For another sweeping drama with plenty of episodes to fill your free time, look no further than Outlander. It boasts more than 80 episodes across seven seasons, following the romance between Highland warrior Jamie (played by Sam Heughan) and Caitriona Balfe’s Claire, a World War II nurse who time-travels back to the 1700s to meet Jamie—plus, it features enough sex scenes to even make GoT blush.

WATCH IT

'Pillars of the Earth' (2010)

There’s truly no shortage of wars of succession in British history: Pillars of the Earth takes place during the Anarchy, a period of political unrest and uncertainty that arose in the mid-12th century after the death of the only direct heir to the English throne. So, it’s got the political intrigue and medieval setting of Game of Thrones, plus an equally starry cast that includes Ian McShane, Matthew Macfadyen, Eddie Redmayne, Hayley Atwell, Sam Claflin, and Donald Sutherland, to name just a few.

WATCH IT

'Reign' (2013–2017)

This CW series might be set about a century after the War of the Roses that inspired Game of Thrones, but it depicts yet another real-life game of thrones. Reign follows Mary, Queen of Scots (Adelaide Kane), first in her rise to power as monarch of France and Scotland, and then in her (ultimately deadly) attempts to grab the English throne from her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I (Rachel Skarsten).

WATCH IT

'The Rings of Power' (2022– )

Just as Game of Thrones is based on a lengthy series of beloved fantasy books by an iconic author, so too is The Rings of Power, which takes its inspiration from J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings series. Interestingly, the show isn’t directly based on the events of any of Tolkien’s books but rather offers a prequel set thousands of years prior using information largely gleaned from LOTR’s appendices.

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'Shōgun' (2024– )

This immersive period drama shows that thrilling court intrigue and devastating emotional arcs are not limited to Western history. Based on James Clavell's 1975 novel of the same name, FX's most expensive (and most successful) series transports viewers to Japan circa, as feudal Lord Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada) and his allies Lady Mariko (Anna Sawai) and Englishman John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) prepare to fight a civil war for control of the country. If you won't take our word for it, consider Shogun's record-breaking Emmys run (and the promise of Shōgun season 2) enough reason to check out the truly epic series.

WATCH IT

'Succession' (2018–2023)

With its vast roster of Roy family members, in-laws, and hangers-on all vying to take control of patriarch Logan Roy’s seat at the helm of a major media conglomerate, Succession is basically a modern-day Game of Thrones. Of course, it's without the fantasy elements, but you can expect characters who wage wars (just of the psychological variety, rather than in all-out physical battles).

WATCH IT

'The Tudors' (2007–2010)

Six fans, assemble! This Showtime series dramatizes the life of King Henry VIII (played by Jonathan Rhys Meyers). While it tells the stories of his (many) wives and mistresses—with plenty of steamy scenes to rival those in Game of Thrones—it also delves into the very GoT-esque political intrigue surrounding his reign and the battles he oversaw.

WATCH IT

'The Wheel of Time' (2021– )

The Wheel of Time marks another of Amazon’s attempts to recreate the irresistible charm of Game of Thrones, and it might be among the best. Like GoT, it’s based on an extensive series of high fantasy novels, and dragons and prophecies play important roles in the plot. Even better: The 14 Wheel of Time novels were written by Robert Jordan, a friend of Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin, who has credited Jordan with revolutionizing the fantasy genre and thus paving the way for Martin’s own series.

WATCH IT

'The White Queen (2013) and 'The White Princess' (2017)

Fun fact: Game of Thrones is loosely based on the historical War of the Roses, which saw the Yorks and Lancasters (who sound a lot like the Starks and Lannisters) spend decades fighting over the English throne in the 15th century. The White Queen, and its follow-up series The White Princess, both dramatize the real-life War of the Roses, making them an excellent follow-up to any GoT rewatch. (A third series in the saga, The Spanish Princess, takes place after the war, but it’s still worth a watch if you’ve already made it this far.)

WATCH IT

'The Witcher' (2019– )

Another fantasy book-to-screen adaptation, The Witcher is based on a series of books by Andrzej Sapkowski. Like GoT, this Netflix series features intensive world-building, main characters on a dangerous mission, and a healthy dose of magic—and it, too, has developed quite the devoted following. So far, three seasons of The Witcher are available to stream, and a fourth is on the way, with Liam Hemsworth set to take over the titular role from Henry Cavill.

WATCH IT

It's time to ring your concierge and plan for another return to The White Lotus. The hit HBO drama, created by Mike White, has made waves among TV viewers for its depiction of luxury vacations that turn into psychological thrillers, as visitors to paradise can't escape the hell that is other people (including their family members). After its breakout first season, set in Hawaii, season 2 brought viewers to Sicily with an entirely new cast and a gripping murder mystery.

So, what do we know about The White Lotus season 3? We're breaking down everything we know about the highly anticipated next installment of the Emmy-winning show, including when fans can check into their suite and who is going on vacation this time around.

When will 'The White Lotus' season 3 be released?

The White Lotus will return for season 3 on February 16, 2025. HBO announced the release date when it dropped the first full teaser (more on that below) two months out on December 16, 2024. Along with the teaser, the network included a season 3 tagline: "Seeking peace can be a trip."

With the show returning in February, we expect it to run throughout winter and spring 2025.

It's been known for quite some time that White Lotus season 3 would premiere in 2025 (so thankfully, we can check back into the series earlier than later). HBO previously revealed on November 2, 2023, that season 3 was pushed to 2025 due to delays from the Hollywood writers' and actors' strikes, per Deadline, and then later revealed that filming was set to begin in February 2024.

Where will 'The White Lotus' season 3 be set?

The next season of The White Lotus is headed to an entirely new continent: Asia. Variety reported in March 2023 that season 3 will be filmed in Thailand, noting that White had spent time in the country scouting locations (probably scoping out which Four Seasons property will serve as the fictional resort). In January 2024, HBO confirmed that production would begin the following month at locations in and around Koh Samui, Phuket, and Bangkok.

Ahead of the confirmation, White shared some ideas for where the series could set up a new White Lotus resort (suggestions we're banking on for future seasons). At the season 2 premiere, for example, he had hinted to Deadline that the show could head to another continent.

"We just turned in our last episode to the network yesterday, so it’s hard to think about the next race," he told the outlet at the time. "But if we did, I think it’d be fun to maybe go to a whole different continent. You know, we did Europe, and maybe Asia, something crazy like that, that would be fun."

The showrunner also mentioned a specific country in an interview with Vulture, where he mentioned Japan as a possible location for season 2 before he decided on Sicily. (Fingers crossed the show continues running and we get to stay at every luxe White Lotus across the globe!)

Who will join the cast for 'The White Lotus' season 3?

On January 5, 2024, HBO revealed the first set of stars joining the forthcoming season, including Parker Posey (Dazed and Confused, The Staircase), Leslie Bibb (GCB, Iron Man), Jason Isaacs (Star Trek: Discovery, Harry Potter), and Michelle Monaghan (Gone Baby Gone, Mission Impossible). Thai actors Dom Hetrakul and Tayme Thapthimthong round out the group, who will join returning cast member Natasha Rothwell in the Thailand-set episodes.

Variety confirmed more season 3 cast members throughout January 2024, including HBO alum Carrie Coon (The Gilded Age, The Leftovers), Julian Kostov (Shadow and Bone), Christian Friedel (The Zone of Interest), Morgana O’Reilly (Mean Mums), Lek Patravadi (In Family We Trust), and Shalini Peiris (The Ark, The Danny & Mick Show). On January 16, 2024, the outlet reported that Walton Goggins (The Righteous Gemstones, Fallout), Patrick Schwartzenegger (Gen V), Aimee Lou Wood (Sex Education), Sarah Catherine Hook (First Kill), and Sam Nivola (Maestro) have also joined the cast.

And on February 12, 2024, Variety revealed the exciting news that a global K-pop star will make her acting debut in season 3. BLACKPINK member Lalisa Manobal, known mononymously as Lisa, will appear in the upcoming season filmed in her home country of Thailand.

It wasn't until the first official teaser for season 3 dropped that HBO shared insight into any of the characters. The network dropped the following character descriptions:

"Leslie Bibb as Kate: one of three long-time friends on a girls’ trip after not having seen each other for a while

Carrie Coon as Laurie: one of three long-time friends on a girls’ trip after not having seen each other for a while

Walton Goggins as Rick Hatchett: rugged man with a chip on his shoulder, traveling with his girlfriend Chelsea

Sarah Catherine Hook as Piper Ratliff: a college senior and middle child to Timothy and Victoria Ratliff, Piper is a religion studies major

Jason Isaacs as Timothy Ratliff: a wealthy businessman vacationing with his wife and three children

Lalisa Manobal as Mook: one of the health mentors for guests staying at The White Lotus

Michelle Monaghan as Jaclyn: one of three long-time friends on a girls’ trip after not having seen each other for a while

Sam Nivola as Lochlan Ratliff: Timothy and Victoria Ratliff’s youngest, a high school senior

Lek Patravadi as Sritala: one of the owners of The White Lotus and the visionary behind its wellness program

Parker Posey as Victoria Ratliff: vacationing with her husband and three children

Patrick Schwarzenegger as Saxon Ratliff: the eldest son of Timothy and Victoria Ratliff, Saxon works for his father’s successful company

Tayme Thapthimthong as Gaitok: a security guard at The White Lotus

Aimee Lou Wood as Chelsea: a free-spirit, traveling with her on-edge older boyfriend Rick."

Which of the cast will return for 'The White Lotus' season 3?

One returning cast member is back for season 3! In April 2023, Variety reported that season 1 cast member Natasha Rothwell will return to the series, reprising the role of Hawaii branch spa manager Belinda Lindsey. The last time we saw Belinda at the end of season 1, she was reeling from being strung along by Tanya McQuoid (R.I.P.) with promises of an investment to open her own practice.

The season 3 teaser revealed that she's on an "exchange program" in Thailand, presumably picking up some tips for her own wellness practice.

The past two seasons of The White Lotus have included large casts of Hollywood stars. The first Hawaii-set installment starred Emmy winners Murray Bartlett and Jennifer Coolidge, as well as Connie Britton, Jake Lacy, and Sydney Sweeney. Meanwhile, season 2 replaced the entire cast as well as the location, only bringing along Coolidge's heiress Tanya McQuoid and Jon Gries as her new husband Greg. The rest of the Sicily-bound cast included Sabrina Impacciatore, Theo James, Meghann Fahy, Aubrey Plaza, Michael Imperioli, and Tom Hollander.

Now that we know who didn't make it out of Sicily in the season 2 finale of White Lotus, we can say ciao to our hopes that Tanya will be our guide through the White Lotus chain. The Blossom Circle member drowned in the Ionian Sea, leaving the show without one of its two recurring characters. (Yes, there's also Greg, but screw Greg.) Coolidge's time on The White Lotus is over, despite White previously hinting that she could return.

Now, the question is whether season 3 will bring back even more former cast members who they've kept under wraps or not. The new season could work with or without additional returning characters, as White has now turned most of the show's viewers into faithful fans, but the more the merrier. As for who should come back, we suggest one of season 2's MVPs: Meghann Fahy (Daphne) or Simona Tabasco (Lucia).

What will 'The White Lotus' season 3 be about?

So far, each season of The White Lotus has served as its own miniseries examining the class and power dynamics among the rich. Season 1 remarked on colonialism and focused on the relationships between the hotel staff and the guests, while season 2 depicts gender and sexual dynamics, with the guests interacting with a pair of locals. Now that we know the show is going to Thailand, we can anticipate another story centered around the guest/staff dynamic, and potentially also touching on the cultural clash between Western and Eastern norms.

White has given some new insight into a potential storyline for season 3. According to Vulture, the creator said in a post-mortem interview that the new season is expected to explore non-Western spirituality.

"The first season we highlighted money and then the second season is sex,” White said. "I think the third season, it would be maybe a kind of satirical and funny look at death in Eastern religion and spirituality, it feels like it could be a rich tapestry to do another round at White Lotus."

Based on White's teaser, it seems likely that the next season will be focused on wellness-themed tourism in Southern Asia. However, it could also take place among Western practitioners who build a religion that takes inspiration from (a.k.a. appropriates) Eastern spirituality. There's a lot to explore within the possible theme.

White also has other ideas to explore for future White Lotus seasons. The creator previously shared a bit of his initial pitch for season 2 in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, initially hesitating as he said, "I might still do it down the road maybe, if they give us a third season, so I don't know if I should say."

He decided to continue, saying, "Originally, it was more of like a Bilderberg conference, more about getting into some of the bigger power dynamics there. But Sicily was a totally different vibe than the idea I pitched. That didn't seem right."

For those unfamiliar, the Bilderberg meeting is an annual off-the-record conference that began in 1954 and "fosters dialogue" between Europe and North America. Per the website, "The group's agenda, originally to prevent another world war, is now defined as bolstering a consensus around free market Western capitalism and its interests around the globe."

Is there a trailer for 'The White Lotus' season 3?

Max dropped the official trailer for The White Lotus season 3 in late January, just a little less than three weeks before the premiere date. It couldn't be more ominous, with multiple teases that "what happens in Thailand, stays in Thailand" and "you'll be a different person by the end of the week."

Though all of the guests are in for a sort of wellness retreat—fit with yoga, facials, massage therapy, and more—it looks like everybody is going through it, with one voiceover stating, "Everyone that comes to Thailand, they’re either hiding from someone or they’re looking for someone." Jason Isaac's character Timothy appears to be leading his family toward financial ruin, while Walton Goggins' Rick intriguingly seems to be looking to connect with one of the hotel owners, Sritala, played by Lek Patravadi. Though it's unclear what crime may unfold to tie the season together, there are glimpses of guns, armed robberies, the hotel staff doing whatever it takes to man the fort, and Belinda worrying someone will go home in a "body bag." We can't wait to check in!

A teaser also dropped in mid-December 2024, showing the soul-searching spiritual journey many of the characters are on this time around. The clip opens with the classic shot of the hotel staff waving as a boat pulls up of the new faces checking in and goes on to give a glimpse of each character.

"Everyone runs from pain towards pleasure but they get there only to find more pain," a voiceover says, hinting at what each vacationer may be dealing with or running from this season.

As for our familiar face with Belinda, it turns out she's wound up at a sister hotel because she's on an "exchange program." "I’m starting to feel like something good is going to come out of this," she says at one point.

It also shows Rick seemingly being influenced by his girlfriend into letting some stress go on the trip, while the group of friends traveling seem to be butting heads as some want to let go and others are critical of their behavior.

There are also lots of shots of nightlife, foreboding clips of snakes baring their fangs, a screaming Carrie Coon, and more.

There's a bit more footage available that fans can check out if the full-length trailer and teaser weren't enough. HBO included new clips of the highly anticipated season in its official reel for 2025. In early November, Max shared a "Coming to Max in 2025" clip featuring shots of the new season—most notably giving a hint at Lisa's previously under-wraps hotel staff character. She's shown welcoming a group of guests with a big smile on her face, saying, "Welcome to the White Lotus in Thailand."

The clip also shows Walton Goggins looking up at the statue known as the Great Buddha of Thailand, Carrie Coon, Leslie Bibb, and Michelle Monaghan in vacation wear as they walk through a busy street, and brief shots of Parker Posey and Natasha Rothwell, who looks pleased to presumably be arriving as a visitor to the White Lotus this time around.

If you're a fan of absolutely heartbreaking dramas and can't miss TV, HBO's The Last of Us must be on your watchlist. Adapted from the lauded video game franchise of the same name, by Chernobyl creator Craig Mazin and game creator Neil Druckmann, the dystopian series concluded its first season in March 2023, leaving viewers with an intense emotional cliffhanger involving guarded survivor Joel (Pedro Pascal) and spitfire teen Ellie (Bella Ramsey).

Though game fans have a better idea of where the show's plot will head next, show fans who aren't ready to shell out cash for a PS5 or gaming laptop will have to wait for the second season. Thankfully, the show was renewed in January 2023, when only two episodes of the first season had aired. The early announcement came after the show received rave reviews (including a 96% critical approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes) and, according to Variety, the largest jump in audience growth ever for any HBO drama series over those first two episodes.

Now, after a long, two-year wait, those new episodes are on the way. Here's what we know about The Last of Us season 2.

When will 'The Last of Us' Season 2 come out? 

HBO has confirmed The Last of Us season 2 will premiere on April 13, 2025. The series returns after The White Lotus season 3 wraps its run, taking over the coveted 9 p.m. ET Sunday night appointment viewing time slot, with episodes simultaneously airing on HBO and hitting streaming on Max.

The network announced the season 2 premiere date in mid-February, along with new posters featuring Ellie, Joel, and Abby. You can check those out below.